CROQUE MONSIEURS A LA RACHELLE MY TAKE ON FRENCH GRILLED CHEESE AND HAM SAMMYS

Croque Monsieurs a la Rachelle My take on French grilled cheese and ham sammys image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 slices good quality white bread, buy bread at in-store fresh bakery section of a large market or local bakery and have it sliced for you
6 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups half-and-half or milk
1/2 teaspoon salt, eyeball it
2 tablespoons prepared Dijon mustard, plus extra to pass at the table
3/4 pound French or French style ham, such as Mandrange, deli sliced or, sliced boiled ham
2/3 pound thinly sliced Gruyere or Swiss cheese (recommended: Emmentaler)
1 small jar cornichons or baby gherkin pickles, available on condiment aisle of market
1 small jar pickled onions, also available on condiments aisle

Steps:

Line up 8 slices of bread on a work surface.
Heat a small saucepot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and melt. Add flour to the butter and whisk together. Cook flour and butter together for 1 to 2 minutes, then whisk in half-and-half or milk. Bring sauce to a bubble and thicken another 1 or 2 minutes. Season sauce with salt, then whisk in prepared Dijon mustard.
Heat a large nonstick griddle or skillet over medium heat.
Spread each slice of bread with Dijon bechamel sauce and build 4 sandwiches with 2 or 3 slices of ham and 2 slices of cheese per sandwich. The Dijon bechamel sauce will help hold the meat and cheese in place. Make slices of ham and cheese rest flat; do not pile the meat or cheese. Butter the tops of the 4 sandwiches and set onto griddle or grill, buttered side down. Butter opposite side of each sandwich while the first side is grilling. Toast sandwiches 4 minutes on each side, turn with thin spatula. Serve with cornichons, pickled onions and extra Dijon mustard to pass at table.