Croque Monsieur

Sandwich Ingredients:

Loaf of Sourdough Bread                                                                                                   

Slices of Ham (a great way to use leftover slices from a ham roast)                     

Swiss/Gruyere Cheese                                                                                                               

6 tbsp melted butter

Bechamel Sauce Ingredients:

5 tbsp butter

1/8 cup of flour

1 cup whole milk

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1 egg yolk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300F.

Warm milk on the stove - DO NOT BOIL or SCALD. 

Melt butter in another saucepan. Add in flour and stir with a wooden spatula. DO NOT let it burn. Cook it, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes.

Slowly whisk in warm milk. Whisk constantly for 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in egg yolk, salt, and nutmeg.

Spread Bechamel Sauce on sourdough bread. Top with ham and cheese. Top with another slice of sourdough bread. 

Spread melted butter on the bread and fry in cast iron (or oven-proof) frying pan until golden brown. Flip the sandwiches and do the same on the other side. 

Top sandwiches with more Bechamel Sauce and bake in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts.

Serve with a citrusy salad to help cut the richness of the Bechamel Sauce (and to get some fruits and veggies in there too).

Variation:

Croque Madame--top sandwiches with a poached or sunny-side-up egg.