Croque Monsieur (French Grilled Ham & Cheese)
Take your traditional grilled cheese to a whole new level. Add smoked ham, Gruyere cheese, Dijon mustard, fresh chives, and nutmeg to create a French-inspired grilled cheese that just may be your new favorite.
Ingredients & Instructions
- 16 oz. Frick’s Applewood ham slices
- 8 slices country bread
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Gruyere Cheese Sauce:
- 10 oz. Gruyere cheese (2 oz. shredded, 8 oz. sliced)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tablespoon nutmeg
- 1 cup milk
Make Gruyere Cheese Sauce:
Step 1
Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a microwave safe bowl. Add 2 Tbsp. flour and stir.
Step 2
Microwave for 10 seconds, stir. Slowly add milk while stirring. Microwave on high for 1 minute stopping to stir every 20 seconds.
Step 3
Add Dijon mustard, nutmeg, and 2 oz. shredded Gruyere cheese. Stir. Continue microwaving in 30 second intervals stopping to stir after each interval until cheese is melted and sauce is well combined.
To Assemble Sandwich:
Step 1
Drizzle cheese sauce on bread to cover one side. Sprinkle 1/2 Tbsp. chopped chives on top of all slices of sauce drizzled bread. Place 2 oz. sliced Gruyere cheese on top of half the slices of drizzled bread. Place 4 oz., approximately 4 slices, Applewood ham on top of cheese. Place remaining slices of drizzled bread, sauce side down, on top of ham.
Step 2
Liberally butter top and bottom of sandwich and place into Panini maker or skillet. Grill sandwiches for 3 minutes in Panini maker, or 3 minutes per side in skillet. Remove from Panini maker or skillet and allow to cool 2 minutes before cutting.
A Chef Peter Rumbolo Creation
