Croque-monsieur is a French grilled ham and cheese sandwich typically covered in béchamel or mornay sauce. It is made with high-quality ham and cheese, artisanal bread, and can be served with any meal of the day.
A croque-monsieur is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, originating in France. After grilling, the sandwich is usually covered with a béchamel or mornay sauce. Some recipes may call for melting cheese on top of the sandwich in lieu of a sauce. The sandwich is grilled by buttering both pieces of bread and then cooking it in a hot skillet until the cheese inside is melted and the outside of the sandwich is crispy. Traditionally, high-quality sliced ham and cheese, such as Gruyere or Emmantal, are used, but there are many variations of this recipe.
When making a croque-monsieur, thick-sliced, artisanal bread is usually used. A thicker slice of bread tends to hold better when topped with a cream sauce. The outer side of each loaf of bread is covered in butter to make it crisp and browned while baking. Several slices of ham and a slice or two of cheese are placed between the bread. Some variations of the recipe may call for mustard, or a small amount of bechamel or Mornay sauce, to be spread inside the sandwich.
For best results, use high quality ham and cheese. Sliced ham can be purchased at a deli and can come in several flavors, such as smoked or honey-roasted. Any type of ham can be used to make a croque-monsieur. A less traditional variation of the recipe can use thinly sliced turkey or another type of cured meat.
Traditionally, Gruyere or Emmantal cheese is used to make a croque-monsieur. Swiss cheese is also commonly used. Any type of cheese that tends to melt smoothly can be added to this sandwich. If you melt the cheese on top of the sandwich instead of using a sauce, the cheese is placed on the bread and melted under a rack.
The béchamel sauce for a croque-monsieur is made with flour, milk, butter, nutmeg and a bay leaf. A roux is made from the butter and flour and the rest of the ingredients are then added to a saucepan. As the sauce cooks, it thickens. A Mornay sauce is very similar to a béchamel sauce, but includes cheese in its ingredients.
Croque-monsieur sandwiches are very popular menu items in French bistros and cafes. They can be served with any meal of the day and are often eaten as a snack as well. This type of sandwich is usually eaten with a knife and fork, particularly if it has a cheese or gravy topping.
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