Kosher Croque Monsieur
A classic French bistro grilled sandwich made kosher with smoky turkey ham and rich dairy cheese under a golden mornay sauce.
Ingredients
- •8 thick slices of white sandwich bread or brioche
- •8 slices of kosher smoked turkey ham
- •2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (200g), divided
- •3 tablespoons dairy-free margarine (45g)
- •3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (25g)
- •1.5 cups whole milk (360ml)
- •1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- •Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- •1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
Melt the dairy-free margarine in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- 3
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a smooth paste.
- 4
Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps.
- 5
Cook the sauce, stirring frequently, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- 6
Remove the sauce from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until melted and smooth.
- 7
Lay out 4 slices of bread on a clean work surface and spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on each.
- 8
Place two slices of smoked turkey ham and a generous pinch of the remaining cheese onto each mustard-coated bread slice, then top with the remaining bread slices to form four sandwiches.
- 9
Spread a generous spoonful of the prepared cheese sauce over the top of each sandwich.
- 10
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then switch the oven to broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese sauce on top is bubbly, golden brown, and slightly charred in spots.
- 11
Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
💡 Chef tips
- For extra richness, you can lightly toast the bread slices in a skillet with a little margarine before assembling the sandwiches.
- You can assemble the sandwiches a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake, just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
- Make sure to use a good quality melting kosher cheese like Swiss or Emmental for the best gooey texture.
✅ How it should turn out
Golden brown and bubbling on top with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, this sandwich yields a crispy exterior and a warm, savory interior of melted cheese and savory smoked turkey.