Gourmet Croque Monsieur with Homemade Béchamel Sauce
Gourmet Croque Monsieur with Homemade Béchamel Sauce
Effortlessly Make Croque Monsieur and its Sauce! Super Easy Recipe
Hello everyone, it’s Gangineomama! Today, I’ve made the classic Croque Monsieur, a dish you might be familiar with. I’ve even prepared the Béchamel sauce that goes inside from scratch. I used to feel it was a waste to spend 4,000-5,000 won on a Croque Monsieur at coffee shops, especially since it wasn’t very filling. When I was working, I often chose more substantial meals for the same price.
Béchamel Sauce- 60g Butter
- 60g All-purpose flour
- 600ml Milk
Croque Monsieur (Serves 2)- 4 slices Bread
- 4 slices Ham
- 2 slices Cheddar cheese
- 3 Tbsp Béchamel sauce
- 100g Mozzarella cheese
- A pinch of Parsley flakes (optional)
- 4 slices Bread
- 4 slices Ham
- 2 slices Cheddar cheese
- 3 Tbsp Béchamel sauce
- 100g Mozzarella cheese
- A pinch of Parsley flakes (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making the Béchamel sauce, which adds wonderful flavor to the Croque Monsieur. Melt all 60g of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. It’s crucial not to let the butter burn, so keep the heat gentle.
Step 2
Once the butter has melted, add 60g of flour. Stir continuously to prevent lumps, again being careful not to burn it. Before the flour starts to color, lift the pan off the heat and stir, then return it to the heat and stir again. Repeat this process – lifting the pan when it seems like it might brown – until it forms a roux. Just like melting the butter, manage the heat carefully during this step.
Step 3
Now, gradually pour in the 600ml of milk while whisking or stirring with a spatula to dissolve any lumps. You’ll notice the sauce becoming thicker as you stir. Once it reaches a nice, thick consistency, your Béchamel sauce is ready.
Step 4
Now, let’s assemble the Croque Monsieur!
Step 5
Spread a generous amount of the prepared Béchamel sauce on one side of each of the 4 bread slices. Make sure to coat them evenly so the bread can absorb the flavor.
Step 6
Layer a slice of ham and a slice of cheddar cheese on top of the Béchamel-coated bread. You can use just one slice of ham per sandwich, or double up for an even richer taste.
Step 7
Place the remaining 4 bread slices (with the Béchamel sauce side facing inwards) on top of the ham and cheese to complete the sandwiches.
Step 8
Generously sprinkle 100g of mozzarella cheese over the top of each sandwich. If you like, add a pinch of parsley flakes. If you don’t have mozzarella, shredded cheese for salads works perfectly well too.
Step 9
Place the assembled Croque Monsieur sandwiches in a preheated air fryer set to 180°C (350°F) for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown, and the bread is toasted. Please note that air fryer cooking times can vary by appliance, so adjust as needed. Enjoy your delicious homemade Croque Monsieur! ^^
