I’ve always loved a Croque Monsieur. Toast, ham, cheese +cheese sauce – toasted until it’s all melty goodness? How could you NOT love a Croque Monsieur.
When I saw that one of this month’s Barefoot Bloggers recipes (chosen by Kathy at All Things Considered) I was thrilled – I’ve actually made this recipe before! It’s a great recipe.
This time around I didn’t make any modifications because the recipe is fantastic as it. I even took all of the components with me to work and made it in the toaster oven. My co-workers were not thrilled with the smell of melted gruyere. It was delicious! Another Ina Garten/ Barefoot Contessa hit!
Croque Monsieur
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups hot milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch nutmeg
- 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (5 cups)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 16 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
- Dijon mustard
- 8 ounces baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter–flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Off the heat add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.
To toast the bread, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes. Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.
Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve hot.
(From Ina Garten’s Barefoot In Paris)
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I love Barefoot Contessa!!
her recipes always work.
one of my favourites is her walnut brownie. HEAVEN!!!
sandwich looks delicious!! yummm
Your sammie looks fantastic!!!
What a great idea to make it at work! I guess the smell of melty goodness is not for everyone, or maybe your colleagues were jealous that there wasn’t enough for them, too. Yours certainly does look delicious!
You can come melt Gruyere at my office anytime–as long as you share! 😉
I ate Patrick Wiese’s Foie Gras Croque Monsieur… holy cow. It was GORGEOUS! It was A) my first “croque monsieur” and B) The second time I had foie gras C) it tasted like heaven.
i know anything cheesy so i made this and its heavenly…thx for posting