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Extra-cheesy croque monsieur

Extra-cheesy croque monsieur

By Isabella Chatterjee
20’ Prep time
20’ Cook time
40’ Total time
677 Calories
4 Serving

Summary

Creamy béchamel sauce tops emmental and ham sandwiches – need we say more?
Isabella Chatterjee 0 Followers

Step by Step

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Step 1

Start by making a béchamel sauce. Heat 25g butter in a small saucepan over a medium-high heat. When foaming, add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the milk a little at a time, stirring constantly, until you have a smooth sauce. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg; simmer for 1 minute, then take off the heat. Finely chop 2 slices of Emmental and stir into the sauce, then set aside to cool.
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Step 2

Meanwhile, quarter the fennel bulb; cut out and discard the hard core. Slice the quarters as finely as possible and set aside in a bowl of ice-cold water. Preheat the grill to high and set a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.
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Step 3

Spread each slice of bread on one side with the remaining butter and place them buttered-sides down. Spread mustard on four of the other sides and arrange 2 slices of Emmental and 1⁄4 of the ham on top of each. Finish with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up. Fry the sandwiches, in batches if needed, in the hot frying pan for 2-3 minutes on each side until toasted and golden. Transfer to a large baking tray.
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Step 4

Spread the top of the sandwiches evenly with the cheese sauce. Grill (not too close to the element, so that they colour evenly) for 2-4 minutes until golden. Meanwhile, drain the fennel and pat dry with a clean tea towel, then toss with the oil, lemon zest and juice and reserved fennel fronds. Season and serve with the croque monsieur.

Ingredient

  • Lemon
    Lemon
    0.5
  • Whole milk
    Whole milk
    275 mls
  • Fennel
    Fennel
    1
  • Dijon mustard
    Dijon mustard
    1 tbsp
  • Olive oil
    Olive oil
    1 tsp
  • Ham
    Ham
    180 grams
  • Emmental cheese
    Emmental cheese
    200 grams
  • White bread
    White bread
    8
  • Plain flour
    Plain flour
    25 grams
  • Unsalted butter
    Unsalted butter
    65 grams

Nutrition Facts

View nutrition facts
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