Croque-Monsieur holds a special place in my heart as it was the first dish I encountered upon arriving in France. I had just landed in Lyon, where I would spend an extended period, and ‘Mr. Crunchy’ (as Croque Monsieur translates) was more than generous enough to satisfy my hunger, making it a cherished memory. Beyond that, Croque-Monsieur is a bistro and café classic in France, and rightly so: warm, hearty, and perfect for enjoying at any time of day—how can one resist?
CROQUE-MONSIEUR: A HAPPY ACCIDENT
Its story is old and similar to many other famous dishes, as Croque-Monsieur came about by accident. A group of French workers, rushing off to work in the morning, left their lunch packs beside a radiator. Upon their return, they found the cheese melted over the ham, resulting in warm, enticing sandwiches.
It’s unclear who first had the idea to toast them in butter for that golden crust, giving it the name Croque-Monsieur, but whoever it was deserves thanks; otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy it today. What is certain, however, is that Croque-Monsieur appeared on bistro and café menus in Paris by 1910, with its first written reference found in Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time.
But let’s not waste time and dive right into its preparation! 🙂
CROQUE-MONSIEUR: SO EASY TO MAKE!
There’s likely a version of the classic ham and cheese sandwich everywhere. The French, however, being the creative souls they are, found a way to make it even more interesting and special. Traditionally, they use Gruyère or Emmental cheese, toasting it in butter on both sides, then topping it with béchamel sauce and baking until golden. Today, I’ll share how my French friends taught me to prepare it—a simpler and quicker method, yet just as delicious.
The ingredients are simple and accessible: sliced bread (you can also make it from scratch using a recipe here), Gruyère cheese, Emmental or your favorite cheese, ham, butter, one egg, salt, and pepper.
Assembling the sandwich is straightforward: bread-cheese-ham-cheese-bread, and here comes the French twist: the sandwich must be buttered on both sides and then toasted in a hot skillet without oil, as the butter will melt and create the signature Croque-Monsieur crust.
After removing it from the skillet, place the ‘Mr. Crunchy’ on a baking tray, then pour over it a mixture of beaten egg, two tablespoons of cream, and a couple more tablespoons of grated cheese, seasoned with salt and pepper. Pop it in the oven until the Croque-Monsieur is golden and irresistible, and the moment to savor it cannot be delayed any longer.
The French serve it warm, with the cheese still melting, either for breakfast, lunch, or as a simple snack, often accompanied by a mixed salad. Sometimes, like true masters of enjoying life, they remember to add a glass of wine on the side. After living among them, I can confirm: they know what they’re doing! 🙂
Croque-Monsieur also has a derivative version that is equally irresistible, topped with a fried egg: Croque-Madame. Be sure to read about it; you’ll surely love it!
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