Croque Monsieur

Ingredients

• 4 thick slices white bread
• 4 slices good cooked ham
• 150g gruyere, grated
• 30g butter
• 30g plain flour
• 300ml whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Grating of nutmeg
• Salt and white pepper

Before you cook

• Grate the gruyere and warm the milk.
• Heat the grill to high.

Steps

1. Melt the butter, stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes without letting it colour.
2. Add the warm milk gradually, whisking hard after each addition.
3. Simmer for 3 minutes until thick, then season with mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
4. Stir a third of the cheese into the sauce.
5. Toast the bread lightly on both sides.
6. Spread béchamel on two slices, add the ham, then close the sandwiches.
7. Spread the remaining béchamel thickly over the tops and sides.
8. Pile the rest of the cheese on top.
9. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes until bubbling and blistered brown in patches.
10. Rest for a minute before cutting, or the filling runs out.