The Croque Madam is a delicious french sandwich typically eaten for breakfast or brunch. The sandwich is made with toasted crusty bread, then topped with thinly sliced ham, smothered with a cheesy bechamel sauce, and topped with a fried or poached egg. I recently had a croque madam served in an open face style with a side of tomato jam that was incredible and so of course I had to recreate it in my kitchen. The sweet and tangy tomato jam pairs beautifully with this amazing sandwich and takes it to a new level of deliciousness.
Croque Madam
Ingredients
Farm fresh bread or sourdough (I used my dutch oven artisian bread)
thinly sliced deli ham
egg
butter
Bechamel
2 tbsp salted butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
3/4 cup shredded gruyere or swiss cheese (I used a blend of the two)
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp white pepper
Instructions for Bechamel
Melt butter in a small sauce pot, then sprinkle in the flour. Stir until flour is incorporated and cook for a minute or so. Add milk stirring quickly and constantly until sauce thickens. Add seasonings, then gradually add the cheese, again stirring quickly and constantly until all cheese is thoroughly mixed into the bechamel. Tomato Jam 1 pint of grape tomatoes 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar juice from half lemon (1 to 2 tbsp) dash of red pepper flakes (if you want a bit more heat add more)
Instructions for Jam
Place all ingredients in a small sauce pot and cook on medium to low heat bringing mixture up to a boil. Let cook for around 15 minutes until the liquid is reduced and you have a thick jam consistency. Remove from heat and store in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Jam is delicious on toast, in grilled cheese sandwiches, and burgers.
To assemble the Croque Madam
Place thinly sliced ham onto a buttered and toasted piece of bread. Spread the cheesy bechamel over the ham and sprinkle with a little extra of the shredded cheese. Place under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. While sandwich is under broiler fry an egg to your desired likeness. Place egg on top of sandwich and enjoy! note: I spread the tomato jam on the bread before adding the ham because I wanted to taste it in every bite. You can serve it on the side also.
For a video tutorial visit my YouTube channel
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