Croque monsieur: original French recipe

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The croque monsieur is a typical French sandwich that is considered a gourmet product especially because the use of quality ingredients can really make a difference.

It is a sandwich in which cheese dominates over the rest of the flavors and at first glance it might seem like a simple grilled cheese sandwich if it was not for all the cautions that are added, for example the use of béchamel.

The recipe that I follow comes from the French chef Michel Roux Jr who as a first thinglightly grinds the bread; you can skip this and go directly to the second stage with the bechamel which can be prepared at home following this recipe or can be purchased ready.

Warning: the croque monsieur does not come with the egg on top, which is instead added in the Madame Croque.

Croque monsieur: ingredients for 4

For the béchamel
1 teaspoon of flour
400 ml of whole milk
Grated nutmeg
Salt

For the sandwich
8 slices of bread
2 tablespoons butter
Mustard
280 grams of grated cheeses
160 grams of ham
Black pepper

Croque monsieur: recipe

1. Prepare the bechamel sauce by following this recipe and using the ingredients above. Turn the oven to 180°.
2. Grate the bread lightly and then take 4 slices of bread and butter one side of each slice, sprinkle it with plenty of mustard as well.
3. Add a generous layer of béchamel sauce followed by grated cheese and cooked ham.
4. Add a second slice of bread on each of the four by slightly pressing and then pour the more béchamel and more grated cheese.
5. Bake for 6-8 minutes until golden and serve hot.

Preparation time: 30 minutes