Croque Madame Sandwich
- 6 ounces unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 8 slices thick sourdough bread
- 8 to 12 slices good quality ham (about 3/4 pound)
- 12 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated, divided
- Nonstick spray
- 4 eggs
- Preheat the broiler.
- Make the bechamel sauce: In a small saucepan, melt 1 ounce butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until you smell the flour and butter cooking, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Do not allow it to brown.
- Add the milk and bay leaf and cook, stirring from time to time, until the mixture thickens like a soup, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and stir in the Parmesan.
- Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Arrange 4 slices of the bread on a flat surface.
- Top each with 2 to 3 slices of ham.
- Mix together half of the Gruyere cheese and the bechamel sauce.
- Taste for seasoning.
- Spread a little of the sauce on top of the ham and top each with another slice of bread.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet and, when hot, add half of the remaining butter.
- Add 2 of the sandwiches and brown on one side, 2 minutes.
- Turn on the other side and brown 2 more minutes.
- Transfer to a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining butter and sandwiches.
- Spread the remaining bechamel on top of the sandwiches and top with the other half of the Gruyere cheese.
- Wipe any crumbs from the cast iron skillet and spray with nonstick spray.
- Crack 4 eggs into the skillet, leaving a little room between each.
- (Alternatively, fry 2 at a time).
- While the eggs are frying, place the sandwiches under the broiler and broil until the top becomes golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Season the eggs with salt and top each sandwich with a fried egg.
- Serve immediately.
unsalted butter, flour, milk, bay leaf, kosher salt, parmesan, bread, ham, gruyere cheese, nonstick spray, eggs
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/croque-madame-sandwich-recipe.html (may not work)