Name: Crispy Croque Madame with Béchamel Reduction
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese; 2 slices sourdough bread; 2 slices cooked ham; 1 slice Gruyère cheese; 1 large egg; 1 tbsp white wine; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

A French sandwich featuring toasted bread, ham, cheese, and a rich béchamel sauce with a reduced sauce layer, topped with a fried egg.

Method

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add flour, and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in milk, then cook until thickened.
Stir in Gruyère until melted and smooth. Add white wine and Dijon mustard, then simmer for 5 minutes to reduce.
Butter both sides of the bread slices.
Layer ham, Gruyère, and béchamel on one slice of bread.
Top with the second slice of bread and press gently.
Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
Fry the egg in a separate pan until the white is set.
Place the fried egg on top of the sandwich.