Croque Madame

Indulge in the classic French Croque Madame, a heavenly combination of toasted bread, savory ham, and melted gruyère, topped with a perfectly fried egg. Ideal for a cozy brunch or a delightful weeknight treat.

• 4 slices white or sourdough bread
• 4 slices ham
• 1 cup gruyère cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Method

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

2. 2

   In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of flour, whisking constantly for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux.

3. 3

   Gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk and continue to stir until the sauce thickens. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Remove from heat.

4. 4

   Assemble the sandwiches by placing 2 slices of bread on a baking sheet. Layer each with 2 slices of ham and a generous amount of gruyère cheese, then top with the other slices of bread.

5. 5

   Spread the béchamel sauce over the tops of the sandwiches and sprinkle with additional gruyère cheese.

6. 6

   Bake the sandwiches in the oven for 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

7. 7

   While the sandwiches are baking, fry 2 eggs sunny-side up in a skillet with a bit of butter.

8. 8

   Once the sandwiches are done, top each with a fried egg and serve immediately.