Croque Monsieur Recipe

gruyere cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: emmental cheese

Emmental is often less expensive and still melts well.

ham

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: bologna

Bologna is a budget-friendly alternative to ham.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Margarine can be a less expensive substitute for butter.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Water with cornstarch can mimic the creaminess of milk.

Slice a yellow onion in half and peel off the outer layer.

Cut a one-inch slit in the top of the onion to fit in a bay leaf.

Melt unsalted butter in a medium-sized sauce pot over medium heat.

Add all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk to combine, cooking for 1-2 minutes to make a white roux.

Pour in whole milk and bring to a low boil, stirring until thickened to nappe consistency.

Add the onion with bay leaf and clove to the sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Remove the onion from the bechamel sauce and grate in fresh nutmeg, then season with sea salt and ground white pepper.

Strain the bechamel sauce through a fine mesh strainer if desired.

Prepare large slices of artisan bread and heat a large cast iron skillet over low heat with unsalted butter.

Add two slices of bread to the skillet and toast for 2-3 minutes until browned, then flip to toast the other side.

Spread Dijon mustard on one side of the toasted bread.

Layer country ham on top of the mustard, then add bechamel sauce and shredded Comte cheese.

Top with the other slice of toasted bread, then add more bechamel sauce and shredded Comte cheese on top.

Broil the sandwich on high for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens