Croque Madame

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 12 minutes

Nutrition facts (per serving): 260 cal (17g fat, 10g protein, 13g fiber)

Croque Madame is one of the French specialties, and everyone must try this interesting combination of béchamel sauce with brioche sandwiches.

Ingredients (4 servings)

Béchamel Sauce

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 cups of milk

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Sandwich

8 slices ham

1 loaf brioche

1-ounce Gruyère cheese, shredded

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

4 large eggs fried

Preparation

Heat and melt about 6 tablespoons butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the flour, continue mixing, and cooking for 3 minutes. Slowly and gradually pour in the milk and mix it makes a lump-free mixture. Add the salt, nutmeg, and ½ cup parmesan. Continue mixing and cooking until the cheese melts.

Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool. Layer a baking sheet with and at 325 degrees F, preheat your oven. Cut and slice the brioche bread into 8 thick slices. Then layout 4 of the slices and top them with the gruyere cheese.

Top the cheese with the ham and a spoonful of béchamel sauce. Stack with the other brioche slices. Gently spread softened butter on top of brioche. Preheat a large suitable nonstick pan over medium low-medium heat. Cook the sandwiches in the pan with the buttered side down. Butter the second side of the brioche. Cook for about 2 minutes per side. Add 2 tablespoons of béchamel and 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese on top of each sandwich. Bake in the heated oven to melt the cheese, about 5 minutes. Serve warm.