Delicious Croque Madame In Just 6 Easy Steps

The croque madame is a refined and satisfying French bistro classic. It takes the beloved Croque Monsieur and elevates it with the addition of a perfectly fried egg on top. This sandwich features a rich béchamel sauce, savory sliced turkey, and nutty Gruyère cheese, all grilled to golden perfection and crowned with a runny yolk. This recipe for a classic croque madame is an elegant and delicious meal, perfect for a weekend brunch or a special dinner.

What is a Croque Madame?

A croque madame is a variation of the famous French grilled cheese sandwich, the Croque monsieur. The term “madame” is a playful nod to the fried egg on top, which is said to resemble a woman’s hat. The sandwich is a decadent masterpiece, with layers of rich béchamel sauce, Gruyère cheese, and tender sliced meat, all held within two slices of golden-toasted bread. The addition of the egg transforms the dish from a simple sandwich into a complete meal, with the runny yolk creating a luxurious sauce that coats every delicious bite.

Ingredients

For the Béchamel Sauce

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
• Salt and white pepper, to taste

For the Sandwich

• 4 slices of good quality sandwich bread or brioche
• 4-6 slices of sliced smoked turkey
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs

How to Make a Classic Croque Madame

1. Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
2. Assemble the Sandwich: Lay out two slices of bread. On each, spread a generous layer of the warm béchamel sauce. Place two slices of smoked turkey on top of the béchamel. Sprinkle a small amount of shredded Gruyère cheese over the turkey. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top to form two sandwiches.
3. Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and the cheese inside is starting to melt.
4. Finish and Broil: Preheat your oven broiler to high. Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet. Spread a generous amount of the remaining béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich, then top with the remaining shredded Gruyère cheese. Place the sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
5. Fry the Eggs: While the sandwiches are broiling, fry the two eggs in a separate skillet to your desired doneness, ideally with a runny yolk.
6. Serve: Remove the croque madame from the oven. Carefully place a fried egg on top of each sandwich. Serve immediately, as it is best enjoyed warm.

Tips for the Perfect Croque Madame

• Freshly Grated Cheese: Using freshly grated Gruyère cheese is essential for a smooth, even melt.
• The Right Bread: Use a sturdy, thick-sliced bread that can hold up to the béchamel sauce and the filling.
• Perfect the Egg: The runny yolk of the fried egg is what makes a Croque Madame so special. Take care to not overcook it.

Conclusion

This croque madame is a decadent and satisfying meal that is both simple to make and impressive to serve. It’s a rich, elegant, and classic sandwich that is guaranteed to impress.

Delicious Croque Madame In Just 6 Easy Steps

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A classic recipe for a rich and delicious croque madame, featuring a creamy béchamel sauce, sliced turkey, and a fried egg on top.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine French

Servings 2

Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Béchamel Sauce

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg freshly grated
• Salt and white pepper to taste

For the Sandwich

• 4 slices of good quality sandwich bread or brioche
• 4-6 slices of sliced smoked turkey
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese divided
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
• 2 large eggs

Instructions

 

• Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
• Assemble the Sandwich: Lay out two slices of bread. On each, spread a generous layer of the warm béchamel sauce. Place two slices of smoked turkey on top of the béchamel. Sprinkle a small amount of shredded Gruyère cheese over the turkey. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top to form two sandwiches.
• Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and the cheese inside is starting to melt.
• Finish and Broil: Preheat your oven broiler to high. Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet. Spread a generous amount of the remaining béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich, then top with the remaining shredded Gruyère cheese. Place the sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
• Fry the Eggs: While the sandwiches are broiling, fry the two eggs in a separate skillet to your desired doneness, ideally with a runny yolk.
• Serve: Remove the croque madame from the oven. Carefully place a fried egg on top of each sandwich. Serve immediately, as it is best enjoyed warm.

Notes

The sandwich is best served immediately after the egg is placed on top.

Keyword béchamel sauce, cheese sandwich, croque madame, french sandwich, gruyère