**Discover the Delightful Croque Madame: A Savory Symphony of Eggs, Ham, and Cheese**
The croque madame is a classic French dish that combines the flavors of ham, cheese, and eggs in a delightful and satisfying way. This open-faced sandwich is a variation of the croque monsieur, with the addition of a fried or poached egg on top. The result is a rich and decadent dish that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
This article features two variations of the croque madame recipe: a classic version and a vegetarian version. The classic recipe uses ham and Gruyère cheese, while the vegetarian version substitutes roasted red peppers and spinach for the ham. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be tailored to your own preferences.
In addition to the two main recipes, this article also includes a recipe for homemade béchamel sauce, a creamy and flavorful sauce that is used in both versions of the croque madame. The article also provides tips for assembling and serving the croque madame, as well as suggestions for variations on the classic recipe.
Whether you are a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article has everything you need to create a delicious and memorable croque madame. Embrace the culinary journey and indulge in the savory delights of this iconic dish.
CROQUE MADAME
(A Monsieur, made better!)
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place a small sauce pot over medium low heat and melt 2 tablespoons butter in it. Whisk in a rounded tablespoon of flour and cook 1 minute or so. Whisk in milk and bring to a bubble then drop heat to low. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, nutmeg and Dijon. When sauce coats back of a spoon, turn off heat.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in each of 2 medium nonstick skillets, both over medium low heat. When butter melts add 2 large eggs to the first skillet, keeping the whites separate from each other. To the second skillet add 2 slices bread and toast lightly on first side then turn the bread. Top turned bread liberally with sauce and 2 slices of the ham and the Swiss cheese on each slice of bread. Use a spatula to transfer the eggs to the tops of the open faced sandwiches. Cover the pan with foil and turn off heat. Let pan stand 5 minutes to melt cheese and set sauce and eggs.
- Top sandwiches with chopped herb or herbs of choice and serve. Spoon any leftover sauce over top of the eggs before garnishing.
CROQUE MADAME SANDWICH
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Time 30m
Yield 4 sandwiches
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 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.
CROQUE-MADAME
My son and I love having a croque-madame (a fried egg atop our grilled ham and cheese) for lunch. If eggs aren't your favorite, you can make the sandwich without it (which makes it a croque-monsieur). -Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Breakfast Brunch Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. Place half of the cheese on 8 bread slices; top with ham and remaining bread. Spread outsides of sandwiches with softened butter., On a griddle, toast sandwiches over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Spread tops with mayonnaise; top with remaining cheese. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet; bake 4-5 minutes or until cheese is melted., Meanwhile, for eggs, heat 1 tablespoon butter on griddle over medium-high heat. Break 4 eggs, 1 at a time, onto griddle. Reduce heat to low. Cook to desired doneness, turning after whites are set if desired. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place eggs over sandwiches. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 758 calories, Fat 47g fat (24g saturated fat), Cholesterol 344mg cholesterol, Sodium 1691mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 46g protein.
CROQUE-MADAME
Categories Cheese Egg Breakfast Brunch Broil Fry Quick & Easy Dinner Lunch Ham Gourmet Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Make sauce:
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, then whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, 5 minutes. Whisk in salt, pepper, nutmeg, and 1/3 cup cheese until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and cover surface directly with a sheet of wax paper.
- Make sandwiches:
- Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce evenly over each of 4 slices of bread, then sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese (1/4 cup per slice). Spread mustard evenly on remaining 4 bread slices and top with ham, dividing it evenly, then invert onto cheese-topped bread to form sandwiches.
- Lightly oil a 15- by 10-inch shallow baking pan.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately low heat, then cook sandwiches, turning over once, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes total. Remove from heat and transfer sandwiches to baking pan, then wipe out skillet with paper towels.
- Preheat broiler.
- Top each sandwich with 1/3 cup sauce, spreading evenly. Broil sandwiches 4 to 5 inches from heat until sauce is bubbling and golden in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off broiler and transfer pan to lower third of oven to keep sandwiches warm.
- Heat remaining tablespoon butter in nonstick skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then crack eggs into skillet and season with salt and pepper. Fry eggs, covered, until whites are just set and yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Top each sandwich with a fried egg and serve immediately.
CROQUE-MADAME
This is a variation of Amanda Hesser's croque-monsieur, a ham and Gruyere sandwich topped with béchamel. Here, we invite you to pop a fried egg on top. Voila! A croque-madame (reportedly named such because the egg resembles a lady's wide-brimmed hat).
Provided by The New York Times
Categories dinner, lunch, quick, sandwiches, main course
Time 20m
Yield 2 sandwiches
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat a two-sided electric griddle on medium-high to high for about 20 minutes, or preheat the oven to 300 degrees and preheat a cast-iron skillet on top of the stove for about 5 minutes. Prepare a bechamel sauce: in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. When bubbles have subsided, add flour and whisk vigorously for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil, and cook until thick. Remove from heat, and season to taste with salt and nutmeg.
- Spread two slices of bread generously with sauce. Lay two slices of ham on top of each, and top each with a slice of cheese; ham and cheese should slightly overlap edges of bread. Top each with a slice of bread.
- In a small saucepan, melt remaining the 4 tablespoons butter. Brush the sandwiches on both sides with butter, making sure that the edges are well covered. If you're using a griddle, place cheese side down, close the griddle and cook until the bread is toasted dark and cheese is leaking out and bubbling. If you're using a skillet, place sandwiches cheese side down and cook on stove top until well browned, then turn and brown again. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake until heated through and cheese is bubbling. Meanwhile, fry the eggs in a skillet with little butter. Slide one fried egg onto each sandwich. Serve hot.
CROQUE MADAME
This recipe is a favorite in my family! I take a French class and I bring these little sandwiches to the French meeting. This typical French delectable is always on the menu in little French cafes.
Provided by Jennifer James
Categories 100+ Breakfast and Brunch Recipes Eggs Breakfast Sandwich Recipes
Time 15m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Mix in the cheese once it is melted. Dip each slice of bread into the melted cheese, coating both sides.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place one slice of bread into the skillet and top with 2 slices of ham. Place the second piece of bread on top. Fry until golden on each side, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Fry the egg in the hot skillet to your liking: easy, medium, or well done. Place the fried egg on top of the sandwich and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 888.8 calories, Carbohydrate 32.5 g, Cholesterol 361.4 mg, Fat 64.2 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 45.3 g, SaturatedFat 38.4 g, Sodium 1417 mg, Sugar 3.7 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the croque madame will be. Use fresh, crusty bread, good quality ham and cheese, and a creamy béchamel sauce.
- Make sure the béchamel sauce is thick and creamy: A thin, watery sauce will make the croque madame soggy. Cook the sauce until it has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
- Don't overcook the eggs: The eggs should be cooked until the whites are just set and the yolks are still runny. Overcooked eggs will be tough and rubbery.
- Serve the croque madame immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot out of the oven. If you let it sit for too long, the bread will become soggy and the cheese will start to harden.
Conclusion:
The croque madame is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With its crispy bread, creamy béchamel sauce, and runny eggs, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this classic French dish a try.
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