Croque Madame Recipe
Look, if you want to level up your brunch game and make your
kitchen smell like a Parisian café, Croque Madame is THE move. We’re talking
crispy bread, gooey cheese, salty ham, creamy béchamel, and—wait for it—a
perfectly runny fried egg just chilling on top. Honestly, it’s the kind of
breakfast that makes you want to whip out a beret and speak bad French. Fancy
occasion? Special treat for yourself? Or just feeling extra on a random
Tuesday? This sandwich has you covered.
Why This Recipe Rules
So here’s the deal: Croque Madame is basically grilled
cheese’s glamorous French cousin who always shows up overdressed (in a good
way). The béchamel takes things to a ridiculous level of creamy, the ham brings
the salty vibes, and then you slap that sunny-side egg on top and
BOOM—breakfast magic. It’s surprisingly doable, too. The fanciness-to-effort
ratio is honestly unfair. Your guests will think you went to Le Cordon Bleu or
something.
Time Stuff
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 10-12 min
Total: Around 25 min, unless you get distracted by
TikTok.
Serves: 2
Difficulty: Not a beginner, but you don’t need a PhD
either.
What
You’ll Need
·
4 slices of good bread (don’t get the cheap
stuff, c’mon)
·
2 tbsp butter (plus a little extra, you know how
it is)
·
2 slices of ham (go thick if you can)
·
2 slices cheese (Gruyère or Emmental is classic,
but hey, use what you like)
·
1 cup béchamel sauce (instructions below)
·
2 eggs
·
Salt & pepper
Tools
·
Saucepan
·
Frying pan
·
Oven (or toaster oven if you’re living that dorm
life)
·
Baking sheet
·
Whisk (or a fork, in a pinch)
How to
Make It
1. Béchamel Time
·
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
·
Toss in the flour, and mix it around for about a
minute (don’t let it burn, please).
·
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking like your
life depends on it. Keep going until it thickens up.
·
Salt and pepper to taste. Dip your finger in,
taste, adjust, and repeat (okay, maybe not literally; that’s kind of gross).
2. Sandwich Construction Zone
·
Butter one side of each bread slice. If you skip
this, you’re missing, like, half the point.
·
On two slices, stack a slice of ham and a slice
of cheese.
·
Top with the other bread, butter side out. Yes,
OUT.
3. Pan Time
·
Heat the frying pan over medium. Toss the
sandwiches in, golden up both sides, and melt the cheese. You know the drill.
·
Move those beauties onto a baking sheet.
4. Fancy Finishing
·
Smother each sandwich with a big spoonful of
béchamel.
·
Fry up two eggs. You want those yolks to be runny,
trust me. Plop them on top.
·
Slide the whole thing into the oven for a few
minutes—just enough to get things hot and bubbly, but do not overdo it. Egg
yolks should still jiggle.
Macros (per serving, give or take)
v
Calories: 400
v
Protein: 25g
v
Fat: 25g
v
Carbs: 20g
v
So yeah, not exactly “light,” but so worth it.
Pro Tips & Twists
·
Feeling wild? Swap in cheddar or go full cheese
fiend with parmesan.
·
Add greens (spinach, arugula) or mushrooms if
you want to pretend you’re eating healthy.
·
Not feeling ham? Turkey or roast beef works.
·
Serve with a salad or just give in and make hash
browns. Live your best breakfast life.
FAQs, Because People Always Ask
1. What’s béchamel sauce again?
It’s that dreamy white sauce made with butter, flour, and
milk. Basically, French culinary glue.
2. Can I prepare the béchamel ahead?
Yep! Make it the night before, stash it in the fridge, and
reheat gently when you’re ready.
3. How do I fry the perfect egg?
Butter, medium heat, don’t rush it. Whites set, yolk still
soft. Don’t let it get rubbery—no one likes a sad egg.
4. Can I use a different bread?
Go wild—baguette, ciabatta, whatever you like. Just make
sure it holds up to all that sauce.
5. Is this gluten-free?
Not as written, but swap gluten-free bread and flour, and
you’re set.
6. Dinner-worthy or just breakfast?
Honestly, eat it whenever you want. It’s too good to limit
to one meal.
There you go—Croque Madame, minus the pretension. Now, go
make one and thank me later.
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