I remember it being loaded with butter and cheese, and absolutely the most delicious sandwich in the world. My friend was somewhat addicted to these sandwiches, and after having one myself I could see why! Gruyère cheese and ham just belong together. The word croque comes from the verb croquer or “to crunch”. So a Croque-Monsieur roughly translates to “Mister Crunchy”. The feminine version, a “Croque Madame”, includes a fried egg on top. This classic French bistro sandwich is a great way to use up leftover ham. Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously, cooking until thick. Remove from heat. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the Parmesan and 1/4 cup of the grated Gruyère. Set aside. (Alternatively, you can assemble the sandwiches as follows in step four and grill them on a skillet, finishing them in the broiler with the bechamel sauce.) If you top this sandwich with a fried egg it becomes a Croque Madame. Links: Cheesy Gooey Croque Monsieurs from Daniel Gritzer of Serious Eats Cauliflower Croque Monsieur from All Day I Dream About Food Croque Madame from Alexandra’s Kitchen
