Croque-Madame with Cinnamon Bechamel

Difficulty:
1/5

Ease of Preparation: Easy

Yield: 4 sandwiches

Croque madame meets cinnamon in this recipe! A glossy, creamy cinnamon-infused béchamel is poured over the crispy, eggy ham and cheese sandwich of your dreams. A breakfast of champions!

Ingredients:

Cinnamon Béchamel:

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) butter
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) flour
  • 2 ½ cups (590 ml) milk
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Salt and white pepper

Croque-Madame:

  • 8 slices challah bread
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) Dijon mustard, divided
  • 16 slices thin-sliced baked ham
  • 2 cups (470 ml) shredded Gruyere
  • 4 eggs
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) room temp butter, plus more to cook eggs
  • Cinnamon Béchamel
  • Ground cinnamon, to garnish

Method:

For the Cinnamon Béchamel:

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat.

Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until a light roux has formed, about 2-3 minutes.

Whisk in the milk, adding it in a slow, steady stream.

Add the cinnamon sticks, and bring the sauce to a boil, still stirring near-constantly.

Once boiling, lower the heat, season lightly with salt and white pepper and cook 2-3 minutes more, or until thick and glossy.

Keep warm over lowest heat until needed.

For the Croque-Madame:

Pre-heat oven on broil setting.

Butter each slice of bread on both sides.

Toast bread slices on both sides in a pan over medium heat. Remove once slightly crunchy and golden.

Transfer 4 slices to a baking pan. Spread a thin layer of Dijon on the top side. Add equal amounts of cheese and ham.

Top with the 2nd slice of bread.

Ladle béchamel to cover the top bread with a thin layer of sauce.

Broil for 2 minutes or until bubbly and starting to brown.

Meanwhile, cook eggs in butter sunny-side up over medium heat in a non-stick pan. Season eggs with salt and pepper.

Remove sandwiches from oven. Transfer to serving plates.

Dust cinnamon over the top with a tiny sieve.

Add an egg over each sandwich.

Serve immediately.