Croque Madame is my favorite brunch dish. I seldom see it on a menu, but when I do, you better believe I’m getting it. This comforting dish is the perfect brunch for this cold January day.
Essentially, this is a fancy ham and cheese grilled sandwich, topped with a fried egg, and smothered in creamy bechamel sauce. Take away the fried egg and this sandwich is known as a Croque Monsieur. It originated in the heart of Paris as a quick snack for café goers.
The creamy egg, the salty ham, the grilled French bread is so good together that you’ll think you’re sitting in the middle of Paris and forget it’s -4 outside and your toes aren’t in a constant state of icicles.
Serve with a side of mixed greens and a glass of champagne. You’ll feel like a Parisian yet.
Croque Madame
Croque Madame in other words is a ham and cheese sandwich topped with a bechamel sauce and a fried egg. It is a comforting brunch meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons Flour
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups Milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 cup Gruyere Cheese, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper
- 8 slices French Bread
- 8 slices Deli Ham
- 4 slices Provolone Cheese
- 1/4 cup Butter {softened for spreading}, plus additional 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 eggs, {fried to your preference}
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper, for seasoning
- Chives, chopped for garnish
Directions
- Step 1 Begin making the cheese sauce, melt butter in a medium size pan over medium heat, add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in flour until combined and cook for an additional 30 seconds, continue whisking and slowly add in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened. Turn heat down to low and add in dijon mustard and gruyere cheese, whisk together until cheese is melted and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2 Assemble sandwiches with 2 slices each of ham and a slice of cheese. Butter both sides on the outside of the bread. In a large pan heat to medium high heat, add in a tablespoon of butter and grill sandwiches on both sides for 2 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 3 Heat your oven to broil.
- Step 4 Place grilled sandwiches on a sheet pan, top with bechamel cheese sauce and place in the oven to broil until golden and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
- Step 5 While sandwiches are in the oven, fry your eggs up to preference and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Remove sandwiches from oven and top each one with a fried egg. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.
Savor and Enjoy!
