Mary Berry Croque Monsieur Recipe

This crisp, cheesy Mary Berry Croque Monsieur Recipe Pdf is a fantastic guide for making toasted sandwiches with thick ham and gruyère, ready in 30 minutes. Cutting into the hot sandwich reveals a molten cheese centre topped with a bubbly, golden crust. I love making this for a weekend brunch because it feels incredibly special.

Why This Classic Works

I used to struggle with soggy croque monsieurs until I started making a proper, thick béchamel sauce. Spreading a thin layer on the inside and a generous dollop on top protects the bread while baking.

The sharp Dijon mustard cuts right through the richness of the melted gruyère and butter. I learned that grating the cheese yourself melts much better than using pre-packaged options.

Mary Berry Croque Monsieur Recipe Pdf Ingredients

• 4 slices thick white bread
• 2 slices thick-cut Wiltshire ham
• 100g Gruyère cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 20g unsalted butter
• 20g plain flour
• 200ml whole milk
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How To Make Mary Berry Croque Monsieur Recipe Pdf

1. Make the roux: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
2. Whisk the milk: Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens, then simmer for 2 minutes.
3. Add the flavour: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in half the grated gruyère, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
4. Assemble the sandwiches: Spread mustard on two slices of bread, top with ham, a spoonful of cheese sauce, and the remaining bread slices.
5. Top and bake: Spread the remaining cheese sauce over the tops of the sandwiches and sprinkle with the remaining gruyère.
6. Grill to finish: Bake at 200°C for 10 minutes, then finish under a hot grill for 3 minutes until bubbling and golden.

Recipe Tips

• Use sturdy bread: Thick-cut farmhouse white bread holds up best against the heavy cheese sauce without turning mushy.
• Cool the sauce: Letting the cheese sauce cool for five minutes makes it much easier to spread without it running off the edges.
• Don’t skip the nutmeg: A tiny pinch of nutmeg is essential for authentic French flavour in the béchamel.

What To Serve With Croque Monsieur

A simple green salad dressed with a sharp vinaigrette is the ideal side. The acidity of the dressing balances the heavy, rich cheese perfectly. You can also serve it with a handful of lightly salted potato crisps.

How To Store

Store any leftover assembled but unbaked sandwiches in the fridge for up to two days. I do not recommend freezing them, as the sauce will split when thawed. Reheat baked sandwiches in a dry frying pan or oven to keep them crisp.

FAQs

Can I use cheddar instead of gruyère? Yes, mature cheddar works nicely, though it will lack the traditional nutty flavour of gruyère.

How do I prevent the bottom from burning? Bake the sandwiches on a piece of baking parchment and avoid putting them too close to the heating element.

Can I add an egg to this? Yes, topping the finished sandwich with a fried egg turns it into a Croque Madame.

Nutrition

• Calories: 580 kcal
• Total Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 920mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 42g
• Protein: 28g

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Croque Señor Recipe
• Mary Berry Profiteroles Recipe
• Mary Berry Victoria Sandwich Recipe