Traditional Croque Madame Recipe
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Servings:
2 Servings
Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus additional to taste
  • 4 slices rustic bread
  • 4 ounces thinly sliced ham
  • 1 ½ cups grated Gruyere cheese, plus extra for optional topping
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives
Directions
  1. Prepare the bechamel: In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoon butter over medium heat until melted.
  2. Add flour and cook, whisking, for 1 minute.
  3. Reduce heat to low and slowly add milk, whisking to combine, until mixture is smooth.
  4. Continue to cook until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Stir in ½ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
  6. In a clean pan, heat ½ tablespoon butter over medium heat until melted.
  7. Place 2 slices of bread in the pan and toast until lightly golden brown.
  8. Turn off heat. Top each slice of bread in pan evenly with mustard, then ham, then cheese.
  9. Coat remaining slices of bread evenly with mustard and place, mustard-side down, over cheese.
  10. Transfer sandwiches to a small baking sheet and melt ½ tablespoon butter in pan.
  11. Flip sandwiches and place into the pan to toast the remaining sides.
  12. Transfer back to a small baking sheet.
  13. Turn on oven to broil setting.
  14. Spoon bechamel evenly over sandwiches. (Optional: Top with additional 2 ounces of Gruyere cheese.)
  15. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes or until the bechamel is toasted in spots, then transfer to plates.
  16. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon butter in pan over medium heat.
  17. Add eggs and fry until whites are set but yolks are runny.
  18. Top sandwiches with fried eggs and chives. Serve immediately.