Croque Madame

Croque Madame
by Rachael
adapted from this recipe

Yield: 6 Croque Madame sandwiches

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for cooking eggs
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
12 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
salt and pepper
nutmeg
12 slices of thick bread, such as Texas Toast, lightly toasted
12 slices baked ham, thinly sliced
6 Davidson's Safest Choice Eggs
Sliced green onions, optional for garnish


1. For the Béchamel sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 3 Tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute.

2. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced and slightly thick.

3. Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup Gruyere and Parmesan cheese and stir until smooth. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, to your taste.

4. Preheat broiler. Place 6 slices of bread on a baking sheet and top with 2 slices of ham and half of remaining Gruyere.

5. Broil until the cheese melts, then top with the remaining 6 bread slices. Spoon Béchamel sauce on top of each slice and sprinkle with remaining Gruyere. Broil until cheese is melted and slightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.

6. While the sandwiches are broiling, melt butter in a skillet and fry eggs. Cook until whites are cooked through, but the yolks are runny.

7. Remove sandwiches from broiler and carefully top each with a cooked egg. You may add salt, pepper and sliced green onions.

8. Serve onto a plate and enjoy!