Name: The Classic French Bistro Sandwich - Croque Monsieur
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 Croque Monsieur, 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 8 slices white bread; 4 ounces butter, softened; 4 slices ham; 4 slices gruyere cheese; 2 eggs, slightly beaten; 1 tablespoon water; salt; fresh ground black pepper

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Recipe by French Tart

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The Classic French Bistro Sandwich - Croque Monsieur created by French Tart

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My two versions of this classic French café/bistro sandwich - oven baked for large quantities and ease.......or, the traditional frying pan/skillet method! You can always rely upon the French to add a certain "je ne sais quoi" to even the simplest food ...including the humble cheese and ham sandwich. The croque-monsieur (which becomes a croque-madame if you top it with a fried egg) is a great favourite in French cafés & bistros, and there are as many methods of crafting it as there are cafés! This one works for me. But, please be warned ... it's not for calorie-counters, the Cholesterol Police or those of a nervous disposition!!

Ready In:: 20mins
Serves:
Yields:
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ingredients

8 slices white bread
4 ounces butter, softened
4 slices ham
4 slices gruyere cheese
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
salt
fresh ground black pepper

directions

Spread the bread with some of the softened butter, make 4 sandwiches, each with one slice of ham and one slice of cheese. Press them firmly together.
Beat the eggs with the water, add the salt and pepper to taste, and dip the sandwiches into the egg mixture, coating all sides well.
Heat the rest of the butter in a heavy- bottomed frying pan/skillet, when it has melted and is very hot - but not brown, fry the sandwiches for about 5 - 8 minutes, turning once.
Serve immediately.
If you prefer, although it is not traditional, you may place the croque-monsieur into a very well-buttered baking pan and bake in a moderately hot oven - 175°C/350°F - turning once, for about 10 to 15 minutes. It is easier to prepare a larger number this way and keep them warm until you are ready to serve them.

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RECIPE MADE WITH LOVE BY

@French Tart

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@French Tart

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"My two versions of this classic French café/bistro sandwich - oven baked for large quantities and ease.......or, the traditional frying pan/skillet method! You can always rely upon the French to add a certain "je ne sais quoi" to even the simplest food ...including the humble cheese and ham sandwich. The croque-monsieur (which becomes a croque-madame if you top it with a fried egg) is a great favourite in French cafés & bistros, and there are as many methods of crafting it as there are cafés! This one works for me. But, please be warned ... it's not for calorie-counters, the Cholesterol Police or those of a nervous disposition!!"

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review by scottlstuart

11/1/2015

Delicious and simple to prepare! Baby Swiss cheese works very well also.

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review by Toe-Knee

12/1/2014

Did I miss something? "Classic" croque monsieur includes béchamel sauce. This is a ham sandwich.

2

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review by Anastasia-Sacha

11/16/2014

Great!!!!

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review by PrincessPage

10/26/2011

Thanks for giving us something new to try. It was good, neither of us thought it was something we'd go through the trouble for again. Needed something else to help kick up the flavor - we tried dipping in dijon mustard, but that was overpowering.

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review by CyndiCB

11/8/2010

This is a great recipe if you are looking for an alterative to your basic grilled cheese sandwich. My husband doesn't care for sandwiches but he really enjoyed this one. Anything that has cheese melted on it, he's all about that. Thanks for sharing!

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