Origin of Croque Madame

The Croque Monsieur first appeared in French cafés and bistros in the early 1900s as a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. The Croque Madame followed soon after, with a fried egg added on top, resembling a lady’s hat—hence the name “Madame.” Today, it’s a staple of French comfort food, loved for its rich flavors and creamy textures.

What I Love About This Recipe

This Croque Madame is the ultimate breakfast or brunch treat. The contrast of crispy bread, gooey cheese, smoky ham, and silky béchamel is simply irresistible. The runny yolk makes it even more decadent, bringing all the flavors together in a satisfying bite.

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Croque Madame

Recipe by RecipeWikki

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

639

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 slices of thick-cut white bread (like brioche or sourdough)

• 2 slices of ham

• ½ cup grated Gruyère cheese (or Emmental)

• 1 tbsp butter (for toasting)

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp butter or oil (for frying the egg)

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

• ½ cup warm milk

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

• Make the béchamel sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the warm milk. Keep stirring until thickened. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Assemble the sandwich: Spread a thin layer of béchamel on one slice of bread. Add ham and half of the Gruyère cheese. Top with the second slice of bread.
• Toast the sandwich: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Toast the sandwich for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Add more cheese & bake: Transfer the sandwich to a baking sheet, top with béchamel sauce and the remaining Gruyère. Broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
• Fry the egg: In a separate pan, melt butter or oil and fry an egg sunny-side up.
• Serve: Place the fried egg on top of the sandwich and enjoy warm.

Notes

• For extra flavor: Use Dijon mustard inside the sandwich for a tangy kick.

The post Croque Madame appeared first on RecipeWikki.

What is a Croque Madame?

The Croque Madame is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with creamy béchamel sauce. It gets its name because the fried egg on top looks like a woman’s hat, which is why it’s called “Madame.” This dish is rich, comforting, and full of flavor, making it a favorite in French cafes and homes alike.

The History Behind Croque Madame

The Croque Monsieur, the original version of the sandwich, first appeared in French cafés in the early 1900s. It became popular as a quick and satisfying snack. Later on, someone added a fried egg to the top of the sandwich, and thus, the Croque Madame was born. Both sandwiches are now classic French foods that you can find almost anywhere in France.

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The Delight of Croque Madame: A French Classic

Recipe by RecipeWikkiCourse: MainCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

650

kcal

The Croque Madame is more than just a sandwich—it’s a classic French comfort food that anyone can enjoy. Whether you’re a fan of rich, cheesy dishes or you simply love a good sandwich with a twist, this dish is sure to impress.

Ingredients

• For the Mornay sauce

• 1 Tbsp. butter

• 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

• 2/3 c. whole milk, warmed

• 1/4 tsp. Pinch kosher salt

• 1/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 c. shredded Gruyère

• For the Croque Monsieur

• 4 slices thick brioche or country bread

• 2 Tbsp. butter, softened

• 2 tsp. whole grain Dijon mustard

• 1/2 c. Mornay sauce

• 6 thin slices ham

• 1 c. shredded Gruyère, divided

• For the eggs

• 1 Tbsp. butter

• 2 large eggs

• Maldon, for sprinkling

• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°. Make Mornay sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, and cook until sauce thickens, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Gruyère. Let cool 10 minutes.
• Assemble Croque Monsieurs: In a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, toast bread on both sides until lightly golden. Spread half tablespoon butter on each slice, then flip over two slices and spread each with 1 teaspoon mustard and 1 tablespoon Mornay sauce. 
• Top each mustard slice with 3 slices ham, ¼ cup Gruyère, and remaining bread slices. Evenly spread tops of each sandwich with 2 tablespoons sauce, and sprinkle with remaining Gruyère.
• Transfer skillet to oven and cook until cheese is melty and top is golden, 15 to 18 minutes.
• In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Crack eggs into skillet and fry until whites are set, 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and top each sandwich with an egg.

Notes

• Choose Good Bread: Use thick slices of quality bread, like brioche or sourdough, for a rich texture and better flavor.
• Grate the Cheese: Grating the cheese helps it melt evenly. You can also use a mix of Gruyère and a softer cheese like mozzarella for extra gooeyness.

The post The Delight of Croque Madame: A French Classic appeared first on RecipeWikki.