Recipes Ingredients Meat & Poultry Pork Recipes Croque Monsieur Be the first to rate & review! By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 8, 2021 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Yield: 4 sandwiches The croque monsieur—literally "mister crunch"—is at the elegant end of the grilled cheese spectrum. First served in 1910 at a Paris cafe, this ham sandwich with rich bechamel sauce is topped with cheese and then grilled under the broiler. Ingredients 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for spreading, room temperature 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup milk ½ teaspoon coarse salt Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg Pinch of cayenne pepper Pinch of freshly ground black pepper 8 slices rustic French or firm white sandwich bread ¼ cup Dijon or whole-grain mustard ½ pound cooked ham, thinly sliced ⅓ pound Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced, plus 1 cup freshly grated (about 2 ounces) Directions Make bechamel sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until just starting to bubble. Add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth but not browned, about 3 minutes. Whisking constantly, slowly add milk; continue cooking while whisking until mixture has thickened, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat, and add salt, nutmeg, cayenne, and black pepper. Transfer to a bowl; place plastic wrap directly on surface of sauce, and set aside. Heat broiler. Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Smear one side of bread slices with mustard. Top 4 slices with a layer each of ham and cheese; cover with remaining 4 bread slices, pressing gently to adhere. Generously butter outer sides, spreading it all the way to the edges. Place sandwiches on griddle or in skillet. Cook until golden brown and cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes a side. Transfer to work surface; divide bechamel sauce evenly over tops, spreading to edges; sprinkle with grated cheese. Transfer to broiler, and cook until topping is melted and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately. Rate it Print