CROQUE MONSIEUR

Croque Monsieur image

In Italy, bricklayers and plutocrats alike eat the same thing for lunch: panini, sandwiches layered with meat and cheese and flattened between two searing griddles. Today they're almost as common as cappuccino in America, albeit much cheaper and easier to make. One affordable panini press, and you're on the fast track to the perfect party food.

Provided by Oliver Schwaner-Albright

Time 15m

Yield 12 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 tablepoons flour
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper
24 slices white Pullman bread, 1/2 inch thick
1/2 pound Gruyère, grated
12 slices ham, 1/8 inch thick
1/4 cup Dijon mustard

Steps:

To make the béchamel: melt butter in a saucepan; sprinkle in flour, whisking constantly. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
To make the panini: preheat a panini press or George Foreman grill. Spread 1 teaspoon béchamel on each slice of bread and arrange the slices in two equal rows. On one row, sprinkle enough Gruyére to cover all the way to the edges. On the other, add the ham and top with a dollop of mustard and a twist of pepper. Put the slices with the ham and mustard on top of the slices with the cheese. Grill until lightly golden. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 263, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 27 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 699 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams