RECIPE: Simple Croque Monsieur

If you ever travel to France, one of the most common items you will see on a cafe menu is the Croque Monsieur. This delicious toasted snack is basically a cheese and ham toastie which a French twist.

It is a great way of using leftover ham and is a cheap and easy option for lunch. Here is a simple version of how to make Croque Monsieur. 

Ingredients for Croque Monsieur Recipe

• 8 slices bread
• 4 slices ham
• 6 oz/ 160 g Gruyere cheese
• 3 0z/ 80 g butter
• 4 tsp Dijon mustard

How to Make Croque Monsieur Recipe

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/ 180C/ 350F.
2. Spread half a teaspoon of the mustard on four of the slices of bread.
3. Take half of the cheese and sprinkle over these four slices of bread.
4. Add a slice of ham over the cheese.
5. Cover the ham with most of the remaining cheese (just leave a little for the top).
6. Top with the four slices of bread which do not have mustard spread on them.
7. Heat the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
8. Fry the sandwiches for two minutes on each side or until golden brown. 
9. Transfer the sandwiches to a baking tray and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
10. Cook for five minutes in the oven until the cheese is melted.
11. Remove from the oven, cut diagonally, and serve. 

TIPS

• If you do not have Gruyere cheese, you can use an alternative such as Cheddar. 
• Use any type of bread you prefer. The photographed dish uses sliced white bread. However, you can also use wholegrain, brown, or granary bread if you prefer.
• If you do not have any Dijon mustard in your cupboard, you can use a different variety. It is important to note that each of the mustard varieties has a unique flavour.
• Serve your Croque Monsieur on its own, with a side salad, or with our funky red cabbage slaw.