Croque Monsieur Pie
- 3 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing
- 12 thin slices stale or fresh white bread, crusts trimmed (1/2- to 3/4-inch thick)
- 12 thin slices mild ham
- 2 round tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, plus more for serving
- 3 large eggs
- 8 ounces gruyere or Swiss cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
- Finely chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Mixed greens dressed with lemon juice and vinegar, for serving
- Grease a casserole dish and line with 6 slices of the bread.
- Top with half of the folded ham.
- Melt the butter in skillet over medium heat, add the flour and whisk 1 minute.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of the milk and some nutmeg, and then season with salt and pepper.
- Cook to thicken, the sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
- Stir in the mustard.
- Spoon half of the thickened bechamel evenly over the ham, top with the remaining 6 slices bread.
- Whisk up the eggs and the remaining 1/2 cup milk, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Pour the eggs evenly over the casserole dish and then add the remaining ham and bechamel.
- Top with the gruyere, then cover and store for a make-ahead meal.
- When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bake the casserole from room temperature until golden and firm, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Cut the casserole into squares and serve garnished with finely chopped parsley and mixed greens dressed with lemon juice and vinegar.
- Pass additional mustard at the table.
butter, thin, thin, flour, milk, nutmeg, salt, dijon mustard, eggs, gruyere, fresh parsley, lemon juice
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/croque-monsieur-pie.html (may not work)