Croque-Madame

Serves 2

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:  25 minutes

Ingredients:

For the cheese sauce

  • 15 ml (1 tbsp). butter
  • 15 ml (1 tbsp.) flour
  • 165 ml (2/3 cup) milk
  • Pinch salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 30 g (about ¼ cup) grated mature cheddar or Gruyère cheese

For the Croque-Madame

  • 4 slices thick sour dough or country loaf
  • 30 ml (2 tbsp.) butter, softened
  • 30 ml (2 tbsp.) whole grain Dijon mustard
  • 125 ml (1/2 cup) cheese sauce (as above)
  • 6 thin slices ham
  • 120 g (about 1 cup) grated mature cheddar or Gruyère cheese, divided

For the eggs

  • 15 ml (1 tbsp.) butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • Salt, for sprinkling
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
  2. Start by making a cheese sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and stir for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and cook until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  3. To assemble the Croque-Madame’s: lightly toast the bread. Spread with softened butter on each slice, then flip over two slices and spread each with 5 ml (1 tsp.) mustard and 15 ml (1 tbsp.) cheese sauce. Top each slice with 3 slices ham, 60 ml (¼ cup) cheese and the remaining bread slices. Spread the tops of each sandwich with 30 ml (2 tbsp.) sauce and sprinkle with the grated cheese.
  4. Place sandwiches on a baking tray and bake until cheese is melted and golden brown on top, about 15 to 18 minutes.
  5. For the eggs, melt the butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Crack in the eggs and fry until whites are set, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and top each sandwich with an egg. Serve immediately.