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Croque Monsieur Appetizer

Savory Croque Monsieur Appetizer: Easy French Elegance at Home

These Croque Monsieur Appetizers are a delightful nod to French cuisine, featuring savory ham and creamy cheeses, perfect for impressing guests.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 appetizers
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: French
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bread
  • 12 slices Brioche Bread Can substitute with sourdough or challah.
For the Cheeses
  • 1 cup Gruyère Cheese Emmental or Comté can be used as alternatives.
  • 1 cup Swiss Cheese Sharp cheddar is a great substitute.
For the Filling
  • 8 slices Black Forest Ham Prosciutto or smoked ham works as alternatives.
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Essential for the sauce.
  • 1/4 cup All-purpose Flour Thickens the Béchamel.
  • 2 cups Whole Milk Consider low-fat or non-dairy options.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg Can be substituted with allspice.
  • 1/4 teaspoon White Pepper Replace with black pepper if preferred.
  • to taste Salt Adjust according to preference.
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard Whole grain mustard can be an alternative.
For Garnishing
  • to taste Fresh Chives Optional for garnishing.

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Baking sheet
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter until bubbling gently.
  2. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and stir constantly for about 2-3 minutes until smooth.
  3. Slowly pour in 2 cups of whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
  4. Stir in ¼ teaspoon of white pepper, salt to taste, and a pinch of ground nutmeg.
  5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Spread one side of each slice of brioche bread with a thin layer of Dijon mustard.
  7. Layer 2-3 slices of Black Forest ham on half of the bread slices, followed by Gruyère and Swiss cheese.
  8. Top each filled slice with another piece of brioche (mustard-side down) and gently press to seal.
  9. Spread a generous layer of the Béchamel sauce over each assembled sandwich.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining Gruyère cheese generously on top of the Béchamel sauce.
  11. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbling, then broil for an additional 1-2 minutes if desired.
  12. Allow to cool slightly, garnish with fresh chives, and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1appetizerCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For the best results, follow the tips provided and store any leftovers properly.

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