Ingredients
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Butter – 5 ¼ oz (150 g)
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Hard Cheese – 2 oz (55 g)
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Ham – 2 oz (55 g)
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Mayonnaise – 2 tbsp
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Sandwich Bread – 4 slices
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Eggs – 1
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Salt – to taste
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Ground Black Pepper – to taste
Recipe
The popular croque madame and croque monsieur hot sandwiches made of crustless soft toasts with ham and cheese first appeared on the menu of Paris cafes in the early 20th century. The origin of the name is uncertain, though there are speculations. In French, croque means “to crunch”, and monsieur refers to a gentleman. Supposedly, the sandwich was a popular breakfast meal among men.
However, the dish consists of two sandwiches. A croque monsieur acquires a different name when topped with an egg — a croque madame, so named because, presumably, the egg resembles a woman’s hat. Ultimately, only one thing is certain: these sandwiches make a quick, energy-boosting meal.
Steps
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1
Done
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First and foremost, melt butter. Cut the crusts off the bread and spread one side of each slice with butter. Turn the toasts over and cover their other side with mayonnaise. |
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2
Done
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Cut ham into slices and put them on two toasts. Sprinkle them with part of grated cheese and cover with the two remaining toasts, the mayonnaised-side down. Make a small indentation in one of the toasts with your fingers. |
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3
Done
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Line a baking sheet with parchment and place the toasts on top. Sprinkle them with the remaining cheese, and beat an egg into the center of the toast with an indentation. |
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4
Done
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Finally, bake at 350 °F for 15 minutes. After baking, season the sandwiches with salt and pepper. |
By the way, in the authentic French recipe, croque madame and croque monsieur are prepared with bechamel, a sauce based on fried flour. If you aren't in any hurry, we recommend you try it!
