Classic Croque Madame
Traditional dish · French
A classic French grilled ham and cheese sandwich, elevated with a creamy béchamel sauce and topped with a fried egg. A decadent and satisfying dish perfect for brunch or a light meal.
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Ingredients
- Brioche bread4 slices
- Cooked ham4 slices
- Gruyère cheese100g, grated
- Butter30g
- All-purpose flour30g
- Milk250ml
- Nutmegpinch
- Eggs2
- Saltto taste
- Black pepperto taste
Steps
- 1
Prepare the béchamel sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- 2
Toast the brioche slices lightly.
- 3
Assemble the sandwich: Spread a thin layer of béchamel on one side of each brioche slice. Top two slices with ham, then a generous amount of grated Gruyère cheese. Cover with the other two brioche slices, béchamel-side down.
- 4
Grill the sandwiches: Heat a lightly buttered pan or griddle over medium heat. Grill the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
- 5
Fry the eggs: While the sandwiches are grilling, fry the eggs sunny-side up or to your preference.
- 6
Serve: Place the grilled sandwiches on plates. Top each sandwich with a fried egg. Drizzle with a little extra béchamel sauce if desired.
