BROWN BUTTER CROQUE MONSIEUR

This lovely toasted French ham and cheese sandwich doesn’t need much of a recipe.  But grilling it with brown butter does add a nice, nutty flavor—and it’s hardly any extra prep.  White sandwich bread, some thinly sliced ham, a little coarsely grated cheese—that’s almost dinner, with a French bistro flair.  Use a fairly large, heavy bottom sauté pan for enough room for two sandwiches.

• 4 slices of white sandwich bread—tradition says, crusts off—your choice
• 2-3 thin slices of ham per sandwich
• 3-4 ounces of coarsely grated cheese—gruyere, Emmental, cheddar
• Dijon mustard
• 2 tblsp butter

Prepare croques by spreading two slices of bread with mustard, then adding ham and grated cheese.  Heat butter in sauté pan, stirring gently.  Butter will melt, start to bubble, then bits of milk solids will start to brown and smell nutty.  Add bread—two slices with ham and cheese on top, and two plain slices.  Grill over low heat.  Place plain bread slice on ham and cheese slice, grilled side up, press gently, and continue grilling as cheese melts.  That’s it!!

The Kitchen Hive