CROQUE MADAME

INGREDIENTS:
SANDWICHES:
6 SLICES OF CRUSTY BREAD
MELTED BUTTER
1 ½ CUPS OF GRATED HARD CHEESE OR PARMASAN
6 THIN SLICES – SMOKED HAM

BECHAMEL SAUCE:
½ CUP MILK
½ CUP THICKENED CREAM
2 TBSP BUTTER
2 TBSP FLOUR
1 TSP DIJON MUSTARD
½ TSP DRIED NUTMEG
S&P TO TASTE

DIP: MUSTARD MAYO:
1 TSP DIJON MUSTARD
1 TBSP MAYONNAISE

UTENSILS:
SMALL SAUCEPAN, WHISK, GRATER, MEASURING CUP, TEASPOON, TABLESPOON, OVEN TRAY, TOASTIE MAKER, FRYING PAN (FOR FRIED EGG)

METHOD:
TO MAKE THE BECHAMEL SAUCE, ADD THE BUTTER AND FLOUR INTO A SAUCEPAN ON A MEDIUM HEAT.
WHISK THE MELTING BUTTER AND FLOUR TOGETHER, THEN ADD THE MILK, CREAM, MUSTARD, NUTMEG, SALT & PEPPER (TO TASTE) AND KEEP WHISKING AS THE SAUCE HEATS AND THICKENS.
KEEP COOKING AND STIRRING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES UNTIL THE SAUCE HAS THICKENED.

PREPARE THE BREAD:
TURN THE TOASTIE MAKER ON.
CUT 6 SLICES OF CRUSTY BREAD. BUTTER ONE SIDE OF EACH.
GRATE THE CHEESE AND GET THE HAM READY.
PLACE 3 SLICES OF BREAD ON THE TOASTIE MAKER, BUTTER SIDE DOWN.
ADD A THIN LAYER ON BECHAMEL SAUCE, TWO SLICES OF HAM AND A SPRINKLING OF GRATED CHEESE.
ADD THE 2^ND SLICE OF BREAD ON TOP, BUTTER SIDE FACING UP.
COOK FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE BREAD IS GOLDEN.
TRANSFER THE 3 TOASTIES ONTO A BAKING TRAY. ADD A THIN LAYER OF BECHAMEL SAUCE ON TOP, WITH ANOTHER SPRINKLE OF CHEESE.
ADD A SPINKLE OF SALT, PEPPER OR ITALIAN HERBS ON TOP AND GRILL IN THE OVEN FOR 5 MINUTES.

ADD A FRIED EGG ON TOP TO TURN THE CROQUE MONSIEUR INTO A CROQUE MADAME!
SERVE WITH A SPOON OF MUSTARD/MAYO DIP!