Feature Post LIVE,  LOVE, & EAT in SAYULITA: A Recipe for Croque Monsieur
July 27, 2021 sayulitablog 0Comment

Do you know why the French sandwich is called Croque Monsieur? The name comes from the French words croque ("bite”) and monsieur ("mister"). 

I was in Paris years ago and had an incredible sandwich called, ‘Croque Monsieur’. Since then, I have waited for it to appear on a restaurant menu - but no such luck.

The other day I came across a recipe for Croque Monsieur that sounded so good, I just had to give it a try. All the ingredients are available here in Sayulita so I went shopping and made this sandwich for my lunch today. It was so yummy!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 - 4 slices bread 

I only had my homemade keto bread on hand so I used 4 slices of bread as the slices are small.

  • 2 - 4 thinly sliced ham 

The thinner the better. I usually buy my ham at La Comer in Bucerias. I personally like the flavour of Black Forest Ham.

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard 
  • 1 Tablespoon soft butter, preferably unsalted
  • ½ cup grated Swiss cheese 

I only had slices and wanted to use it up so I folded it up and grated it!

  • ½ cup béchamel sauce (See below for recipe)

PREPARATION:

1) Spread softened butter all over slices of bread. 

2) Flip bread over and spread lightly with Dijon mustard. 

3) Combine the grated cheese with the Bechamel Sauce. 

4) Using ½ of the combined sauce spread a layer on top of the mustard side of bread

5) Lay the sliced ham over ½ of the bread slices. Fold the thin slices so that the ham is substantial.

6) Top with remaining slices of bread making sure that the butter is on the top and the bottom so that it can be crisped.

7) Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Spray surface of pan with a bit of cooking spray. I love butter so I used butter instead of the spray. I think that the unsalted butter in Mexico tastes like European cultured  butter. It has such a great taste.

8) Cook the sandwich on both sides until golden. Cover for a minute to melt the cheese.

9) Transfer to a chopping board and spread the top with the remaining Bechamel Swiss cheese mixture.

10) Broil until the sandwich is nicely browned.

11) Serve while warm. Enjoy!

Recipe for Bechamel Sauce 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup warmed milk or cream (I used cream)
  • Salt and pepper to taste 
  • Dash of fresh ground nutmeg

PREPARATION:

1) Melt the butter then add in the flour.

2) Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. This makes sure that the flour is well cooked in.

3) Gradually stir in the warm milk and whisk over low heat, stirring regularly.

4) Add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. 

5) Mira.. Bechamel sauce is made.

(Use the sauce with the above recipe).

This is a very special sandwich. The preparation sounds long but it is very easy to prepare. You must make it and report back to me. 🙂

If you have any questions or comments please go to my web page, LIVE, LOVE & EAT in SAYULITA. Keep an eye out for my next column…ROASTED OLIVES WITH FETA CHEESE!!

Submitted by: Karina Shecter

Edited by: Sarah Jean Mark