Gourmet Foot-Long Croque Monsieur
Elevate your breakfast game with this Gourmet Foot-Long Croque Monsieur, a scrumptious twist on the classic French sandwich. This indulgent dish layers savory deli ham and a trio of rich cheeses between crusty ciabatta or French bread, all topped with a luscious homemade béchamel sauce. Perfectly broiled to a golden crisp, this sandwich is not only a feast for the eyes but also a delight for the palate. Serve it hot and enjoy a hearty meal that’s sure to impress family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
milk
1 1/4 cups (heated until hot)
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
flour
3 tablespoons (combined with butter)
thyme
2 tablespoons (divided (1 tbsp for béchamel, 1 tbsp for garnish))
ciabatta or French bread
1 loaf (extra-long) (sliced in half lengthwise)
mustard
3 tablespoons (spread on bread)
deli ham
3/4 lb (layered in sandwich)
Gruyère cheese
2 cups (grated)
sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups (grated)
Parmesan cheese
1 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until hot but not boiling, about 3-5 minutes.
3
In another saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color.
4
Gradually add 1 tablespoon of thyme, then slowly whisk in the heated milk. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
5
In a mixing bowl, combine the grated Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
6
Slice the ciabatta or French bread in half lengthwise. Spread a generous layer of mustard on both halves.
7
Layer the deli ham evenly across the mustard. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over the ham.
8
Place the sandwich halves on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt.
9
While baking, preheat the broiler. After the sandwich is partly melted, remove it from the oven and spread the prepared béchamel sauce generously over the top of the sandwich. Sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture on top.
10
Broil the sandwich for 5-6 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
11
Remove from the oven, garnish with the remaining thyme, slice, and serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Gourmet Foot-Long Croque Monsieur?
It is an elevated version of the classic French ham and cheese sandwich, featuring a trio of cheeses, homemade béchamel sauce, and served on a foot-long ciabatta or French bread loaf.
What type of bread is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using an extra-long loaf of ciabatta or French bread sliced lengthwise.
Which three cheeses are used in the cheese mixture?
The trio of rich cheeses includes grated Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
How do I make the béchamel sauce for this sandwich?
Melt unsalted butter, whisk in flour for 2 minutes, then gradually add heated milk and thyme, whisking until the sauce thickens.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for the initial baking phase.
How much milk is required for the sauce?
You will need 1 1/4 cups of milk, heated until hot but not boiling.
How much ham should I buy for a foot-long sandwich?
The recipe calls for 3/4 lb of deli ham to be layered evenly across the bread.
Is the mustard applied to both sides of the bread?
Yes, you should spread a generous layer of mustard on both halves of the sliced bread.
How long does the sandwich bake before adding the béchamel?
Bake the sandwich halves with ham and half the cheese for 10-12 minutes until the cheese begins to melt.
What is the final step to get the golden, bubbly topping?
Spread the béchamel and remaining cheese on top, then broil the sandwich for 5-6 minutes.
What garnish is used for the Gourmet Foot-Long Croque Monsieur?
The sandwich is garnished with fresh thyme before slicing and serving.
Can I use salted butter for the sauce?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter, but if you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional salt added to taste.
How much thyme is needed in total?
You need 2 tablespoons of thyme, divided: 1 tablespoon for the sauce and 1 tablespoon for garnish.
Should the milk be boiling when added to the roux?
No, the milk should be hot but not boiling, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes of heating.
What are the primary flavor components of this dish?
Savory deli ham, tangy mustard, earthy Gruyère, sharp cheddar, salty Parmesan, and aromatic thyme.
Is this recipe considered a breakfast item?
Yes, it is tagged as a breakfast and brunch dish, though it makes a hearty meal for any time of day.
What is the first instruction in the recipe?
The first step is to preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients: milk, butter, flour, thyme, ciabatta/French bread, mustard, deli ham, Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan.
Can I substitute the Gruyère cheese?
While Gruyère provides the classic flavor, you could substitute with Swiss or Emmental, though the flavor profile will change slightly.
How do I prepare the bread?
Take an extra-long loaf of ciabatta or French bread and slice it in half lengthwise.
How long do I cook the flour and butter mixture?
Whisk the flour and melted butter continuously for about 2 minutes until it turns a light golden color.
What is the total broiling time?
The sandwich should be broiled for 5-6 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
How is the cheese distributed in the sandwich?
Half of the cheese mixture is sprinkled over the ham before the first bake, and the other half is sprinkled over the béchamel before broiling.
Is this a spicy sandwich?
No, it is savory and rich; the mustard provides a mild tang rather than heat.
Can this be served cold?
It is best served hot to enjoy the melted cheese and creamy béchamel sauce.
What kind of flour is used for the béchamel?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of standard flour to create the roux.
How much Parmesan cheese is included?
The recipe requires 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How much sharp cheddar is included?
The recipe requires 2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese.
What type of mustard is recommended?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of mustard, and typically Dijon is preferred for French-inspired sandwiches.
What equipment is needed for the final baking steps?
You will need a baking sheet to hold the foot-long loaf in the oven and under the broiler.