Croque Monsieur

A French Grilled Cheese sandwich. From Martha Stewart.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup unsalted butter, plus
• 1  teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 cup  pastry flour, plus
• 1  tablespoon  pastry flour
• 4  cups milk
• 1  cup gruyere or 1  cup swiss cheese, grated, plus
• 8  ounces gruyere or 8  ounces swiss cheese, thinly sliced
•  coarse salt, to taste
•  fresh ground white pepper, to taste
•  freshly ground nutmeg, to taste
•  cayenne pepper, to taste
• 8  slices  white bread, cut 1/2 inch thick
• 6  ounces  french ham, thinly sliced
•  butter, for pan

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour, and cook until foaming, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Continue to cook, stirring, until the cooking diminishes the flour taste, about 3 minutes.
2. In a medium saucepan, warm milk. Slowly add warm milk to butter-flour mixture, stirring so that no lumps form. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in half of grated cheese, and season to taste with salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne. Cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and set aside to cool.
3. Toast the bread on both sides in a hot oven until golden brown. Arrange 4 pieces of toast on work surface, and spread with a small amount of sauce. Cover with a slice of cheese, slice of ham, and another slice of cheese. Top each sandwich with another piece of toast. Spread with additional béchamel sauce, and sprinkle each sandwich with remaining 1/2 cup grated cheese.
4. Place sandwiches in an ovenproof pan brushed with butter, and bake in 450°F oven until heated through, about 4 minutes. Transfer to broiler, and broil until golden brown and bubbly.