Just like the real thing but without the béchamel sauce – surprisingly good!
Cheat’s croque monsieur – serves 2
- 4 tbsp crème fraîche
- 100g Gruyère, grated
- a little freshly grated nutmeg
- soft butter
- 4 slices of sourdough bread
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 thick slices of ham
- green salad, to serve
Heat the oven to 220C/Fan 200C.
Mix the crème fraîche with the grated cheese, then season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Butter the slices of bread on one side, then place on a baking tray, buttered-side up. Toast under a hot grill until golden.
Spread the untoasted side of two of the slices with mustard and top with the ham and half the cheese mixture. Put the other piece of toast on top, toasted side-up, and spread over the rest of the cheese mixture. Season with black pepper.
Put the tray into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and bubbling. Serve with a green salad.
(Original recipe from Rick Stein’s Simple Suppers, BBC Books, 2023.)
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