Home

Croque monsieur

17/11/2023

The Croque Monsieur is a classic French sandwich, but as Il Cucinologo, I can’t help but suggest a small Italian touch. For example, you could try using high-quality cooked ham instead of the classic jambon de Paris, or add a bit of mozzarella for extra stretchiness. But let’s proceed in order:

Ingredients

  • 4 slices of toast bread
  • 2 slices of cooked ham (in our case, it could be a high-quality cooked ham, such as Prosciutto Cotto Alta Qualità)
  • 100 g of grated Gruyère cheese (or, for an Italian touch, you could use some good Parmesan)
  • 30 g of butter
  • 2 tablespoons of flour
  • 230 ml of milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste (optional)
  • A pinch of aromatic herbs like thyme or oregano (Italian touch)

Preparation

  1. Start with the béchamel sauce (or Mornay sauce if you add grated cheese to the sauce): In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir until smooth. Cook for a couple of minutes, then gradually pour in the milk, continuing to stir to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and if you like, a grating of nutmeg.

  2. Lightly toast the slices of bread, just to give them a bit of crunchiness.

  3. Spread a good amount of béchamel (Mornay sauce if you’ve added the cheese) on one side of each slice of bread.

  4. On two slices of bread with the béchamel, add a slice of cooked ham and sprinkle with half of the grated Gruyère (or the cheese you chose).

  5. Cover the ham with the remaining slices of bread (béchamel on the inside), spread some more béchamel on the upper surface and sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese.

  6. If you want to add an extra Italian touch, sprinkle some aromatic herbs like thyme or oregano on top.

  7. Place the sandwiches on a baking tray and cook them in the oven, preheated to 200 °C, for about 5 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and golden.

Trivia

The Croque Monsieur originated as a quick snack in Parisian cafés in the early 20th century. Legend has it that the name (“Croque” meaning “bite” and “Monsieur” meaning “Sir”) was first given at a café on Boulevard des Capucines in Paris when the owner ran out of bread for the sandwiches and used toasted bread instead.

To complete the French theme, you may serve the Croque Monsieur with a glass of fresh white wine, perhaps a Chardonnay. Bon appétit, or as we would say in Italy, buon appetito!

Croque monsieur