French Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich which in France is served in cafes and bars as a quick snack. However, in my home we like to have it as an easy and comforting dinner. It is a great combination of crispy bread with cheesy creamy béchamel sauce. Traditionally, it is made with ham, but I will also propose you a delicious vegetarian alternative. Watch video below for more detailed instructions ♥

To make 3 big or 4 normal size sandwiches:
♥ Toast bread (2 pieces for each sandwich)
♥ Few slices of ham or 300g of mushrooms
♥ Fresh oregano, spring onions or any herbs of your choice
♥ olive oil
Cheesy béchamel sauce:
♥ 30g (2tbs) butter
♥ 30g (3tbs) flour
♥ 300ml milk
♥ pinch of salt, pinch of nutmeg
♥ 1 cup of cheese ( Emmental, Gruyere, Gouda…)

1. Start by preparing béchamel sauce. In a saucepan melt the butter. Once the butter is melted add flour and, over medium heat, still vigorously to create a smooth paste. Add pinch of salt and pinch of nutmeg and mix it again. Once combined, keep stirring and add 300ml of cold milk in 3 goes. Now, bring it to a boil. But it is very important that you keep stirring to prevent the béchamel sauce from sticking to the bottom of your saucepan so that it doesn’t burn.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C and start assembling sandwiches. Brush 1 side of toast bread with olive oil. Put the oily side down on a sheet of baking paper. Now add either a portion of mushrooms or a portion of béchamel sauce and ham. Cover it with another piece of bread, previously smeared with some extra béchamel. Top each sandwich with extra portion of béchamel sauce.
3. Bake at 180°C for about 10min or until the béchamel sauce gets a bit of color
4. Croque monsieur is a great combination of crispy bread with cheesy creamy béchamel sauce. And you can balance it with a fresh salad with vinaigrette.