Croque Madame

Ingredients

• 4 slices Bread (thick-cut, such as brioche or sourdough)
• 4 slices Ham
• 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 3 tbsp Butter
• 1 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup Whole milk
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 Eggs
• to taste Salt and black pepper
• 1 tbsp Fresh chives, chopped(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the Mornay sauce: melt 1 tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the milk. Simmer 3-4 minutes until thickened, then stir in 1/3 cup of the Gruyère and season with salt and pepper.

2. 2

   Spread Dijon mustard on 2 slices of bread, layer with ham and half the remaining Gruyère, then top with the other slices. Butter the outsides of the sandwiches.

3. 3

   Heat a skillet over medium heat and grill the sandwiches 3-4 minutes per side until golden and the cheese melts. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.

4. 4

   Top each sandwich with a spoonful of Mornay sauce and the rest of the Gruyère, then broil 2-3 minutes until bubbling and golden.

5. 5

   Fry the eggs: heat remaining butter in a skillet over medium heat and fry the eggs 2-3 minutes until the whites are set and yolks are runny. Place one fried egg on each sandwich, garnish with chives, and serve immediately.