Croque Madame
One of the companies I worked for was based in Paris and was fortunate to make the trip several times. I love French food, the sauces, the flavors can’t be beat. The Croque Madame quickly became one of my favorite dishes and is great for breakfast or brunch (but I have been known to cook it for lunch and dinner too!) It is quick to make and delicious.
I love to make this when I am entertaining for brunch because it is super simple and quick to make. Due to this I am still able to socialize with my guests but serve something that is restaurant and show quality (it looks like I have been in the kitchen hours instead less than 15 minutes)!
Serving Recommendations: Mimosas or a glass of OJ
Making the Bechamel Sauce
Do not be intimidated by the bechamel sauce, it is very simple to make (although it sounds fancy!). It is simply a white sauce made with butter, flour and milk.
Tips for making Bechamel Sauce
- The butter/flour combination is called roux. You do not want to cook it too long just until it starts to look like wet sand but not browning!
- You can use cold milk but if you head it up for a minute or two in the microwave you can cut down on the cooking time.
- Add the milk slowly and stir constantly
- Make sure the flour and butter a mixed together well before adding milk!
- You know it is done when the sauce can coat a spoon.
Cook the flour and butter until the paste bubbles, but do not brown, it should look like wet sand.
Add milk and stir constantly. Once sauce begins to boil lower heat until sauce has thickened.
Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
Croque Madame
Ingredients
For the Sandwich
- 4 slices ham deli
- 4 slices bread
- 4 slices swiss cheese
- 2 eggs
For the Sauce:
- 1.5 cups milk
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 2 Tablespoon Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Pinch of Nutmeg optional
Instructions
Prepare the sauce:
- Melt butter in a saucepan
- Stir in flour and cook until the past bubbles but do not brown, it should look like wet sand.
- Add milk and stir constantly until sauce begins to boil. Lower heat.
- Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
- Stir for about 2 to 3 more minutes and remove from heat.
Prepare the Sandwich:
- Heat a cast-iron skillet on the stove and spray with oil.
- Arrange 4 slices of bread on a baking sheet.
- Layer each with a slice of swiss cheese, two slices of ham and top with swiss cheese. Top with bread.
- Place sandwich in cast-iron skillet and cover. Cook until lightly brown and flip cook the other side.
- Once all sandwiches are cooked, remove from pan and spray oil again. Crack 4 eggs and cook to liking (recommend over easy or sunnyside up!)
- Top sandwich with Bechamel Sauce and 1 egg.
- Enjoy
