Croque Monsieur

Gruyère cheese

🥗Healthier: Emmental cheese

💰Cheaper: Cheddar cheese

Emmental is lower in fat, while Cheddar is more widely available.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine is often cheaper.

Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan).

Heat milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming, then set aside.

Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat, then add flour and cook for 3 minutes without browning.

While stirring, add half the milk to the roux, then mix in remaining milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Mix until thickened to a spreadable consistency, then remove from heat.

Spread half the béchamel over 4 slices of bread.

Top two slices with 2 slices of cheese each and spread with half the Dijon mustard.

Top with ham and spread remaining Dijon mustard on the ham.

Top each with 2 more slices of cheese and close sandwiches with the other slices.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat, then cook sandwiches for 2 minutes until golden brown, pressing down lightly.

Turn and cook the other side until golden brown, then transfer to a baking tray.

Slather remaining béchamel on the upper pieces of bread, sprinkle with Gruyere and parmesan.

Bake for 15 minutes, then switch to broil for 3 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

Transfer to warmed serving plates and serve immediately.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens