Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur is comfort food at it's finest. It is creamy, cheesy and crunchy all at the same time and I can safely say that healthy goes out the window on this french sandwich. If you are craving something satisfying and rich then this is right up your alley.
It is great to make when you are having someone over for lunch and don't want to make a full on meal, but also don't want to give them PB and J. But that doesn't mean you can't use it as breakfast, brunch or dinner too. Balance the richness out with some fresh fruit and a salad and you've got yourself a meal.

INGREDIENTS

For Sauce:
2 tbs. butter
2 tbs. all purpose flour
1 c. whole milk

1 tsp. nutmeg

dash cayenne pepper

8 thick slices rustic bread (Country Bread, Sourdough, Brioche)

12 slices ham

1/2 c. grated gruyere, plus 8 slices gruyere

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for about a minute. Slowly add milk and continue to whisk until thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with nutmeg and cayenne. Add 1/4 c. grated gruyere, stir until melted.
3. Place 4 pieces of bread on baking sheet. Top each piece with about a 1/4 cup of your sauce you just made. Next add a slice of ham then a slice of gruyere, followed by another slice of ham and another slice of gruyere. Put the other piece of bread on your sandwhich. Add more sauce, about 1/4 c. or so (depending how much you have left). Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 c. of grated gruyere on top of all four sandwhiches.
4. Place baking sheet in oven. Bake for 5-10 minutes or until cheese melts, sauce is bubbly and bread looks toasty.