Croque Monsieur French Hot Ham And Cheese Sandwich Recipes

HEARTY HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH(CROQUE MONSIEUR)

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 400^. Heat milk in microwave safe measuring cup. In a small saucepan melt the margarine, then add the flour all at once, stirring with spatula until the mixture is smooth..slowly pour the hot milk into the flour mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thick. Remove from the heat and add the salt and pepper and the nutmeg. Stir in 1 cup of the grated Gruyère and the all the Parmesan cheese until blended together; and set aside.
• 2. Cover a cookie sheet with foil- much easier for clean-up. Place the 6 slices of bread on the foil and bake plain in the hot oven for 5 minutes. Turn bread over and bake 4 more minutes, until toasted. Remove from oven.
• 3. Lightly brush the the bread slices with the mustard and divide the ham equally among 3 slices of the toast, sprinkle 1/2 of the remaining Gruyère over the ham. Top each with the remaining toast. Generously spoon the tops of the toast with the cheese sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining shredded Gruyère, and bake in the hot oven for 5 minutes.
• 4. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned. (Can us a kitchen torch if you have one)..Serve sandwiches hot.

THE CLASSIC FRENCH BISTRO SANDWICH - CROQUE MONSIEUR

Steps:

• Spread the bread with some of the softened butter, make 4 sandwiches, each with one slice of ham and one slice of cheese. Press them firmly together.
• Beat the eggs with the water, add the salt and pepper to taste, and dip the sandwiches into the egg mixture, coating all sides well.
• Heat the rest of the butter in a heavy- bottomed frying pan/skillet, when it has melted and is very hot - but not brown, fry the sandwiches for about 5 - 8 minutes, turning once.
• Serve immediately.
• If you prefer, although it is not traditional, you may place the croque-monsieur into a very well-buttered baking pan and bake in a moderately hot oven - 175°C/350°F - turning once, for about 10 to 15 minutes. It is easier to prepare a larger number this way and keep them warm until you are ready to serve them.