Decadent Croque Monsieur

This is a pretty amazing recipe for croque monsieur. I wouldn't say it's nowhere near healthy but wow, it sure is good. I got this from a friend who is friends with a rather famous chef-it's his recipe. I'm just passing it along to the masses. Enjoy!

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 1682 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
• 8 (1/2 inch thick) slices high quality French sandwich bread
• 12 ounces thinly sliced jambon de Paris (high-quality, wet-cured ham)
• 10 cups coarsely shredded Gruyere cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour until blended but not colored, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Step 3

Assemble sandwiches: Place all 8 bread slices on a work surface in a single layer. Spread each slice evenly to the edges with Bechamel sauce; all the sauce may not be needed. Divide ham evenly between 4 of the bread slices, trimming if necessary so it is within 1/2 inch from the edges. Top all 8 slices with equal amounts of Gruyere cheese, spreading it evenly to within 1/4 inch of the edges.

Step 4

Lift the 4 bread slices with sauce and cheese and keeping the cheese facing up, place on top of the slices layered with ham. Transfer sandwiches to the prepared sheet pan.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese topping is melted and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.