Croque Mademoiselle Recipes

CROQUE MADEMOISELLE

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate into small bits and set aside.
• Mix together the mascarpone and almond extract and set aside.
• Cut the panettone or brioche into 16 equal slices discarding the ends. Remove the crust squaring the slices off as much as possible. Lay 8 slices of brioche out on the work surface. Spread the mascarpone mixture on the slices, then sprinkle over the chocolate bits. Cover with the remaining slices of brioche to create sandwiches. You may wrap the sandwiches up in plastic film and refrigerate for a few hours or proceed with recipe.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and 1 1/2 cups of the heavy cream. Set aside. Whip the remaining cup of heavy cream into stiff peaks, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat. Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture to saturate the bread allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Transfer to the skillet. Dip and add only as many sandwiches as fit into the skillet in 1 layer. Saute gently until the bottom is golden, about 3 minutes. With a spatula turn the sandwiches and continue to saute until the second side is golden and the chocolate in the center has melted. Transfer the sandwiches to a warm platter as they are done. Add more butter to the skillet and continue to dip the sandwiches in the egg mixture and saute them until all the sandwiches are cooked.
• Serve the sandwiches on individual dessert plates and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of confectioners' sugar.

CROQUE MADAME

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Mix in the cheese once it is melted. Dip each slice of bread into the melted cheese, coating both sides.
• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place one slice of bread into the skillet and top with 2 slices of ham. Place the second piece of bread on top. Fry until golden on each side, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Fry the egg in the hot skillet to your liking: easy, medium, or well done. Place the fried egg on top of the sandwich and serve.

CROQUE MADAME ON BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Season with Dijon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove sauce from the heat.
• Fill a large saucepan with 2 to 3 inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, pour in vinegar, and keep the water at a gentle simmer. Crack an egg into a small bowl then gently slip egg into the simmering water, holding the bowl just above the surface of water. Repeat with the remaining egg. Cook eggs until the whites are firm and the yolks have thickened but are not hard, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon, dab on a kitchen towel to remove excess water, and place onto a warm plate.
• Melt remaining butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add bread and toast in melted butter on both sides. Top bread slices liberally with warm sauce, then top with ham and Gruyere cheese. Place poached eggs on top.
• Cover the pan with foil or a lid and turn off heat. Let stand until cheese has melted and sauce and eggs have set, about 5 minutes.
• Serve immediately, spooning any leftover sauce on top of eggs. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chives and paprika.