A classic French sandwich made with ham, cheese, and bechamel sauce, topped with a fried egg and grilled to perfection.
Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min · Serves 4
Ingredients
Butter4 tbsp · 56 g
Brioche or white sandwich bread8 slices
Ham8 slices
Gruyère cheese8 slices
Bechamel sauce1 cup · 240 ml
Eggs4
Parsley2 tbsp(finely chopped)
Salt and pepperto taste
Instructions
Preheat the broiler.
Spread 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread.
Place 4 slices of bread, buttered side down, on a work surface. Top each slice with 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of Gruyère cheese.
Spread the bechamel sauce over the top of the cheese.
Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top of the bechamel sauce, buttered side up.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, about 5–7 minutes per side.
Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet and broil for 1–2 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
While the sandwiches are broiling, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter to the skillet and crack in the eggs. Fry the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your desired doneness.
Place a fried egg on top of each sandwich and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve hot.
The croque monsieur's richer sibling: same golden, bechamel-slicked sandwich,
now crowned with a fried egg. Break the yolk and let it run into the cheese —
that's the whole reason the Madame exists.
The Chef's Touch These sandwiches are delicious served with a side of crisp, thinly sliced frites (French fries) or a simple green salad. You can also try using different types of cheese or meat in the sandwiches, such as cheddar or roast beef. For a vegetarian version, try using grilled vegetables or roasted eggplant in place of the ham, and top the sandwiches with a fried egg or a sunny-side up egg.
