Ingredients
Bread (pain de mie or baguette)
Ham (Jambon de Paris or other high-quality ham)
Gruyère cheese
Béchamel sauce (butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, white pepper)
Eggs
Optional: Butter for sautéing mushrooms (for the mushroom variation)
Instructions
- Prepare the béchamel sauce.
- Assemble the sandwich: Layer ham and Gruyère cheese between slices of bread.
- Top with béchamel sauce and bake or broil until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Fry an egg and place it on top of the sandwich.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- High-quality bread (pain de mie or baguette) is crucial.
- Freshly grated Gruyère melts best.
- A smooth, lump-free béchamel is essential
- The runny egg yolk is a defining characteristic
- Prep Time: 10-15 MIN
- Cook Time: 10-15
- Category: Sandwich, Brunch, Lunch,Dinner
- Method: Baking/Broiling, Frying, Sauce Making
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Low Calorie
Keywords: Croque Madame, French sandwich, ham and cheese, béchamel, fried egg, brunch recipe, French cuisine, Gruyère, pain de mie, baguette.