Croque Monsieur
... but not quite
Croque Monsieur
The other day, the kids asked for Croque sandwiches for dinner. Did I have all the right ingredients? Of course not—this is real life! Instead of Gruyère, I had cheddar and provolone. Instead of ham, mortadella stepped in. Was it a traditional, textbook Croque Monsieur? Not quite. Did the kids absolutely devour it? You bet they did.
Sometimes, as a mum, you’ve got to get creative and make do with what’s on hand.
For the Béchamel Sauce:
100g all-purpose flour
100g butter
700ml milk
Salt & pepper
For the Sandwich:
4 slices of country bread (homemade recipe coming soon)
Butter for the pan
Dijon mustard
Good-quality cheese (Gruyère, Emmental, or a mix)
Mortadella or ham
Make the Béchamel Sauce
In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously for about 4 minutes to create a smooth roux.
Gradually add the milk in 4 stages, stirring constantly. Even if it clumps, keep stirring—it will come together into a silky sauce.
Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
Toast the Bread
Heat butter in a pan and toast the slices of country bread until golden on both sides. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (or your homemade salt mix—recipe coming soon).
Assemble the Sandwich
Spread a generous layer of béchamel on one slice of bread.
Add a layer of cheese, another layer of béchamel, and your choice of mortadella or ham. Top with another layer of béchamel.
Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the second slice of bread and place it on top to close the sandwich.
Spread more béchamel on the top of the sandwich and sprinkle generously with grated cheese.
Bake or Grill
Preheat your oven or grill to 180°C.
Bake or grill the sandwich for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
Serve Hot
Serve immediately, and enjoy this rich, indulgent sandwich with a side of greens or soup if you like.
Perfect for cosy afternoons, this Croque Monsieur is comfort food at its finest! 🧀✨