
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:
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- 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.
- 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.
- Place sandwiches on a baking tray and bake until cheese is melted and golden brown on top, about 15 to 18 minutes.
- 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.