To make a French sandwich, you can try the classic Croque Monsieur. It’s a delicious grilled ham and cheese sandwich that originated in France. Here’s a recipe to guide you:
Ingredients:
– 8 slices of bread (white or whole wheat)
– 8 slices of ham
– 8 slices of Gruyère or Swiss cheese
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 cups milk
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Dijon mustard (optional)
– Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Begin by preparing the béchamel sauce. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes until the mixture turns slightly golden.
3. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Add the nutmeg, salt, and pepper, and stir well. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Take a slice of bread and spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on one side (optional). Place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on top. Repeat for the remaining slices of bread, creating four ham and cheese sandwiches.
5. Generously spoon the béchamel sauce over each sandwich, ensuring the top is fully coated.
6. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt a tablespoon of butter and place one sandwich in the skillet, sauce-side up. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden and the cheese begins to melt.
7. Flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the other side is golden as well. Repeat this process for the remaining sandwiches, adding more butter as needed.
8. Once all the sandwiches are grilled, transfer them to a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes. This will help the cheese to melt completely and the flavors to meld together.
9. Remove from the oven and let the sandwiches cool for a couple of minutes. You can cut them diagonally or leave them whole. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish if desired.
10. Serve your delicious Croque Monsieur sandwiches warm and enjoy!
Note: If you want to make a Croque Madame, simply top each sandwich with a fried or poached egg before placing it in the oven.