Croque Madame
Indulge in the elegance of the Croque Madame – a dish that transforms a simple meal into a gastronomic experience. Enjoy the decadence and sophistication in every delicious bite!
Setting the Stage
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) – the stage for the culinary magic about to unfold. While the anticipation builds, let's prepare a velvety béchamel sauce to elevate our Croque Madame to new heights.
Béchamel Brilliance
In a small saucepan, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat until it foams. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour until the mixture turns a light golden brown. Now, slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups of whole milk, add a pinch of nutmeg, and season with salt and black pepper. Whisk continuously, allowing the mixture to simmer until it thickens – about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, and our béchamel sauce is ready to play its part.
Breaded Symphony
In a separate skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Introduce the thick slices of crusty bread to this buttery haven and cook until they turn a delectable golden brown on both sides. As the aroma of toasting bread fills your kitchen, remove them from the skillet and place them onto a waiting baking sheet.
Layers of Decadence
Now, let's assemble our masterpiece. Top each slice of golden bread with a layer of ham and a layer of Gruyere cheese. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and let the cheese work its magic – melting and bubbling to perfection in just 3-5 minutes.
The Grande Finale
While our Croque Madame masterpiece is baking, fry up 4 eggs in a separate skillet. Once the cheese is gooey and the bread is golden, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Crown each slice with a fried egg, creating the pièce de résistance.
Saucing and Garnishing
Drizzle the prepared béchamel sauce generously over each Croque Madame, allowing it to cascade down the sides. Finally, sprinkle a touch of freshness with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Your Culinary Triumph
Serve these Croque Madame wonders immediately, and savor the layers of flavor – the crunchy bread, the savory ham and cheese, and the runny yolk of the fried egg. Each bite is a journey through textures and tastes, a symphony of culinary brilliance.
Ingredients
- 4 thick slices of crusty bread
- 4-6 slices of ham
- 2-4 slices of cheese, Gruyere cheese preferred
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- Pinch grated nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 eggs
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small saucepan, cook 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat until it foams.
- Whisk in all-purpose flour until well combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture turns a light golden brown.Slowly whisk in the milk, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens (about 3-5 minutes). Remove the pan from heat and set aside.
- In a separate skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium heat.
- Add the slices of bread and cook until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the bread from the skillet and place it onto a baking sheet.
- Top each slice of bread with a slice of ham and a slice of cheese
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling (around 3-5 minutes).
- While the bread mixture is baking, fry the eggs in a separate skillet.
- Remove the bread mixture from the oven and top each slice with a fried egg.
- Drizzle the sauce over the top of each Croque Madame and garnish with parsley.
Author
Cody Landry
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