Actually, the French have their own version of a grilled cheese sandwich called the croque monsieur, a ham and cheese sandwich that is dipped in an egg wash like regular French toast (but not always), grilled, and served with creamy Mornay or Béchamel sauce. The croque madame is the monsieur’s companion, but since she is a lady, she has a fried egg on top.
The Croques are so very easy to make at home (recipe for croque madame below) and you can even keep it authentic by using all French ingredients: Gruyere cheese, rustic French-style bread, and Dijon mustard. But how ooh la la you become after sashaying through Louis Vuitton and Hermes on Rodeo Drive, popping into the French Country Cafe on Beverly Drive and ordering a croque monsieur with your very best frounsh accent. And if you’ve been partying all night in Hollywood, order one in the diner at The Standard on Sunset Boulevard to sober up, rockstar.
Croque Madame (for you and your French lover)
4 slices pain de mie (but simple white bread will do)
Butter
As many slices of Gruyère cheese that you’ll allow yourself to eat before feeling guilty
Sliced ham
2 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
Your favorite Béchamel sauce (and if you don’t have one, try this)
Very generously butter bread on the sides that will become the outside of the croque madame. Slather mustard on what will become the inside.
Place cheese slices on mustard, then ham. Press ham sides together. Buttered sides of bread should be making a delicious mess of your warm hands.
Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a medium hot frying pan, and grill the sandwiches on both sides. Remove to serving plate.
In the same frying pan, melt more butter, fry two eggs, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Place one fried egg on each sandwich, and if you don’t feel that there’s enough butter and fat, serve with Béchamel sauce.
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