Croque Madame – The Ultimate French Breakfast Sandwich 🥪🧀🍳
A rich and decadent French bistro classic—crispy toasted bread, layers of ham and melty cheese, topped with a runny fried egg for the perfect brunch indulgence!
Ingredients:
For the Sandwich:
4 slices of thick-cut bread (brioche or sourdough)
4 oz ham (thinly sliced)
4 slices Gruyère or Swiss cheese
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
For the Béchamel Sauce:
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
½ cup whole milk
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Topping:
2 large eggs
1 tbsp butter (for frying)
Fresh parsley, chopped
Black pepper, to taste
Directions:
1️⃣ Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute until lightly golden.
Slowly whisk in milk, stirring until thickened (2 minutes).
Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat.
2️⃣ Assemble the Sandwich:
Spread Dijon mustard on two slices of bread.
Layer with ham and Gruyère cheese, then top with the second slice of bread.
3️⃣ Toast the Sandwich:
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
Grill the sandwich for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
4️⃣ Broil with Béchamel:
Preheat oven broiler.
Spread béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich and sprinkle extra cheese.
Broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
5️⃣ Fry the Eggs & Serve:
In a pan, melt butter and fry eggs until whites are set but yolks remain runny.
Place a fried egg on top of each sandwich.
Garnish with fresh parsley and black pepper. Serve hot!
⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
🔥 Calories: ~600 per serving | Protein: ~40g per serving
