Celebrate Bastille Day Tastefully

July 14 is Bastille Day, the French National Day and anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (an infamous French prison) on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution. Why not celebrate with this iconic French sandwich - the Croque Monsieur. It’s French comfort food at its finest!

Croque Monsieur

·         2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

·         3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

·         2 C. hot milk

·         1 tsp. kosher salt

·         1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

·         Pinch nutmeg

·         12 oz. Gruyere, grated (5 cups)

·         1/2 C. freshly grated Parmesan

·         16 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed

·         Dijon mustard

·         8 oz. baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a whisk for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter/flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Off the heat add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.

To toast the bread, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes. Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.

Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve hot.

Serves 8