Croque Monsieur
A savory and cheesy French version of the ham & cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2/3 cup double cream
- 1 onion roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 4 slices white bread
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- dijon mustard to spread
- 1 cup gruyere cheese grated
- 6 slices ham
Instructions
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In a saucepan, combine the milk, double cream, onion, garlic and bay leaves and heat over a medium heat until it just starts to boil.
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Take off the heat and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
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Pour the milk mixture through a sieve into a jug.
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Then, in a saucepan, gently melt the butter and add the flour. Stir together over a low-medium heat for 1 -2 minutes.
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Gradually add the milk in three parts whilst continually stirring.
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Continue to stir and bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
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Take off the heat and stir in the dijon mustard and ground nutmeg.
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Next, brush the two slices of bread with the melted butter and grill for about 5 minutes until golden brown.
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Take out of the grill and preheat the heat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
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Flip the slices of bread over and spread one slice with a thin layer of dijon mustard, followed by another layer of the béchamel sauce, followed by the cheese and then the ham.
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Place the other slice of bread on top and coat with more béchamel sauce and cheese.
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Bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling.