A Croque Monsieur is a hot ham and cheese grilled sandwich. I like to serve it with a green salad in a strong mustard vinaigrette.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time15 minutesmins
Course: Sandwiches
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Croque Monsieur
Servings: 2
Ingredients
3teaspoonsbutter,room temperature
4slicessandwich bread
2slicesEuropean cooked ham
4slicesGruyere
Instructions
Preheat skillet over medium heat.
Generously butter one side of a slice of bread. Place the bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add one folded slice of ham between two slices of cheese.
Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of the sandwich. Grill until lightly browned, then flip over. Continue grilling until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining 2 slices of bread, butter, and slice of cheese. Serve hot.
Notes
Note: You may find some recipes with Béchamel. I personally like it better without.
Origin: The origin of the name Croque Monsieur is uncertain, but the first part is derived from the verb, "croquer" (to crunch or to munch). It originated in France as a fast food snack served in cafes.
History: The Croque Monsieur, or Crispy Mister, appeared on Parisian cafe menus in 1910. Its earliest published use has been traced back to volume 2 of Proust's "à la recherche du temps perdu" (1918).