How to Make a Croque-Monsieur Sandwich

Ingredients:

Croque-Monsieur sandwich

• 4 slices of white country bread, 2 cm thick.
• 12 thin slices (230 g) Black Forest or any other lean ham
• 2 tbsp. (230 g) coarsely grated Gruyere cheese

Béchamel sauce

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tbsp (15 g) butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg
• 1/4 cup (30 g) finely grated Gruyere cheese

Preparation:

1. Make béchamel sauce.
   
   In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's warm to the touch.
2. In a separate small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, until the raw flour taste disappears, about 2 minutes. Stir in the warm milk until smooth.
3. Grate nutmeg into the béchamel.
4. Add cheese.
   
   Season the béchamel with salt and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Gruyere.
5. Whisk until smooth.
6. Assemble the sandwiches.
   
   Preheat the oven to high with the top heat setting. Place the bread on a baking sheet and top each slice with 3 slices of ham.
7. Using a spoon, spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on top.
8. Spread Gruyere evenly over sandwiches and sprinkle with pepper.
9. Bake until cheese is melted and browned, about 3 minutes.