Croque Monsieur

A deliciously cheesy and savory Croque Monsieur, adapted for a kosher brunch, features layers of high-quality kosher ham and Gruyère cheese, all enveloped in perfectly toasted bread. This comforting French dish is a perfect way to indulge in a rich and satisfying breakfast or brunch experience.

Ingredients

• Sliced kosher bread - 4 slices
• Kosher sliced turkey or chicken ham - 100 grams
• Gruyère cheese - 100 grams, grated
• Butter - 30 grams
• All-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon
• Milk - 200 ml
• Nutmeg - a pinch
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley - 1 tablespoon (for garnish)

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
3. Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Season the béchamel sauce with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and stir in half of the grated Gruyère cheese until melted.
5. On a clean surface, place two slices of bread and layer each with kosher ham and a generous amount of the cheese sauce. Top with the remaining slices of bread to form sandwiches.
6. Spread a thin layer of butter on the outside of each sandwich.
7. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the sandwiches for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
8. Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet, top with the remaining Gruyère cheese, and bake in the preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute, then slice in half and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbs: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 60 mg
• Total Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Provides a good source of protein from the cheese and ham.
• Contains calcium from the cheese, which is essential for bone health.

Tags