A Croque Madame

I was working from home for most of yesterday and whipped up the tastiest lunch in no time at all for myself. I might be a day late for Wine & Dine Wednesday but I thought you would not mind. Jacques Pépin is a national treasure in my mind. I follow him on Instagram, watching his cooking videos and I have learned a tremendous amount. Both about cooking and also that he is just the nicest, kindest man. He has an incredibly approachable way of cooking which I find inspirational, highly doable and relaxing all at the same time. He made a Croque Monsieur recently that I made for TPS for breakfast a few weeks ago. Yesterday I made a solo version. We had 2 slices of Poilâne bread left, so it just had to be! Here is the easy recipe.

Heat oven to 350 degrees while you assemble. Take two pieces of bread and lay on a cutting board or plate. Put Gruyère cheese on one of the pieces of bread. Make sure the cheese covers the entire surface of the bread. Then lay ham on top. As many layers of ham as you would like. Then add another layer of cheese on top of the meat. Pretty easy so far! Put other piece of waiting bread on top. Pick up the entire assembled sandwich and butter both sides, top and bottom of bread. Be sure to cover the entire surface of the bread. Then put onto a parchment or aluminum foil lined baking sheet and put into hot oven for 10 to 12 minutes. You have successfully made a Croque Monsieur.

Now fry an egg. I like to cook it in a bit of extra virgin olive oil. Make sure yolk stays runny. I promise you, you will be very happy you did once you cut into it all.

Take sandwich out of the oven. Trim the crust if you like. I did the first time I made it. Yesterday not, as I did not want to waste a single bite of that sublime French bread. Add the fried egg on top. You have successfully made a Croque Madame. Enjoy, enjoy.