The Croque Madame is a French-inspired dish that is the perfect choice for a luxurious brunch or lunch. It’s a gourmet twist on a ham and cheese sandwich, elevated to new heights with a creamy cheese sauce and a perfectly poached egg. The true star of this sandwich is the Gruyère cheese, which melts beautifully and delivers a rich, nutty flavor. Once you’ve tried it, you may never go back to ordinary ham and cheese again.
Ingredients You’ll Need 👩🍳:
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened, divided
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ounces shredded Gruyère cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 slices white bread, lightly toasted
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 thin slices Black Forest ham
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill, or to taste (Optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven broiler with the rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
- Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and stir until slightly brown, about 3 minutes. Whisk in milk; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, reduce heat immediately and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 1/2 of the Gruyère cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg; heat until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spread about 1 teaspoon butter on 2 pieces of bread. Spread 1 tablespoon cheese sauce on top and layer each with a ham slice. Spread 1 teaspoon butter on the remaining 2 pieces of bread, then spread Dijon mustard on top and sprinkle with remaining Gruyère. Transfer all 4 pieces to a baking sheet.
- Broil in the preheated oven until cheese is almost melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, place toast slices together to make 2 sandwiches and pour remaining cheese sauce on top of each sandwich. Return to the broiler until sauce starts to brown, about 2 minutes.
- While the sandwiches are broiling, heat remaining butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Crack 2 eggs into the skillet, keeping them completely separate from one another. Season with salt and pepper. Add water, cover, and baste until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 2 minutes.
- Top each sandwich with an egg and sprinkle with dill, if using. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations:
- You can omit the garnish or garnish with chives instead of dill, if desired.
- For a vegetarian option, swap the ham for sliced mushrooms or grilled portobello mushrooms.
- Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Emmental or Comté.
- Add a touch of sweetness to your sandwich by spreading a thin layer of apricot jam or fig preserves on the bottom slice of bread.
Nutritional Information:
Here is a breakdown of the nutritional information per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 639 |
| Fat | 43g |
| Carbs | 37g |
| Protein | 25g |
*Keep in mind that nutritional information may vary depending on the ingredients used and serving size.
Enjoy your delicious Croque Madame! Bon appétit!
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