Grilled Holiday Croque Monsieur
Elevate your holiday table with the decadent Grilled Holiday Croque Monsieur, a gourmet twist on a beloved French classic. This indulgent sandwich features layers of tender thick-cut ham, tangy Dijon mustard, and creamy Gruyère cheese, all tucked between slices of golden, crispy sourdough bread. A luxurious homemade béchamel sauce infused with nutmeg takes this dish to the next level, with an irresistible broiled topping of bubbling Gruyère for the perfect finishing touch. Ideal as a festive brunch centerpiece or a cozy winter dinner, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of elegance and comfort. Quick to prepare yet full of holiday flair, it’s sure to become a seasonal favorite. Serve alongside a fresh salad or steaming bowl of soup for a complete and unforgettable meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1.5 cups Gruyère cheese, grated
- 4 slices Thick-cut ham slices
- 8 slices Sourdough bread
- 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil or melted butter (for grilling)
Instructions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to create a roux, cooking for about 1 minute until golden and fragrant.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to remove lumps. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens into a smooth béchamel sauce, about 3-5 minutes.
Season the béchamel sauce with nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Stir in 1/2 cup of Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
Lay out the slices of sourdough bread. Spread 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard on one side of 4 slices.
Top the mustard-spread slices with 1 slice of ham each. Add a generous layer of the remaining Gruyère cheese (saving a little for later) over the ham.
Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top to close each sandwich.
Brush the outsides of each sandwich with olive oil or melted butter to ensure golden, crispy edges during grilling.
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
Once the sandwiches are golden and crispy, transfer them to a baking sheet. Spoon a generous layer of béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich and sprinkle the reserved Gruyère cheese on top.
Preheat your oven's broiler to high. Place the sandwiches under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbling and lightly browned.
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm. Enjoy your Grilled Holiday Croque Monsieur with a salad or soup for the ultimate festive meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2828 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 158.4 g | 203% | |
| Saturated Fat | 72.5 g | 362% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 443 mg | 148% | |
| Sodium | 7861 mg | 342% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 228.1 g | 83% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.7 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.5 g | ||
| Protein | 140.1 g | 280% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.9 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 2198 mg | 169% | |
| Iron | 11.2 mg | 62% | |
| Potassium | 1458 mg | 31% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
