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Croque Madame Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 132 reviews

A classic French Croque Madame recipe featuring layers of ham and melted Gruyère cheese on brioche bread, topped with creamy béchamel sauce and a perfectly fried egg. This indulgent sandwich is baked to golden perfection and finished under the broiler for a crispy cheese topping.

Ingredients

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Béchamel Sauce

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 ½ cup milk (warmed)
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • Salt (to taste)
  • ⅛ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp chives (chopped)

Sandwich

  • 8 slices thick brioche bread
  • 8 oz shredded Gruyère cheese (freshly grated, plus more to taste)
  • 4 oz parmesan cheese (freshly grated, plus more to taste)
  • 8 slices ham
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for frying eggs)
  • Additional chopped chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Make the Béchamel Sauce: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and cook together for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly to eliminate the raw flour flavor.
  2. Add Milk and Thicken: Slowly whisk in the warmed milk and continue cooking on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  3. Season the Sauce: Stir in white pepper, salt to taste, freshly grated nutmeg, dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons of chopped chives. Mix well and remove from heat.
  4. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay 4 slices of brioche bread on the baking sheet. Spread a generous layer of béchamel sauce on top of each piece. Sprinkle chopped chives and a good amount of shredded Gruyère cheese over the béchamel, then add 2 slices of ham on each piece. Top each with another slice of brioche bread.
  6. Add More Sauce and Cheese: Spread more béchamel sauce on top of the second slice of bread, then finish with additional shredded Gruyère and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to cover the top.
  7. Bake and Broil: Bake the sandwiches at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. Then broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown and slightly crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Fry the Eggs: While sandwiches bake, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Crack in the eggs and fry until the whites are set but yolks remain runny or cooked to your preference.
  9. Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the oven, top each with a fried egg, sprinkle with additional chopped chives, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use thick brioche bread for the best texture and flavor.
  • Gruyère cheese is ideal for its melting qualities but Emmental or Swiss cheese are good substitutes.
  • Adjust the amount of ham and cheese based on your taste.
  • Keep an eye on the broiler step to prevent burning the cheese.
  • Serve with a light salad to balance the richness of the sandwich.

Keywords: Croque Madame, French sandwich, béchamel sauce, Gruyère cheese, ham sandwich, brunch recipe, baked sandwich, fried egg topping

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/croque-madame-recipe/