A croque monsieur is a delicious toasted sandwich made with humble ingredients commonly found in a French pantry. It’s traditionally made with pain de mie (white sandwich bread), ham, cheese, and bechamel. The sandwich is layered with the ingredients then baked in the oven until the edges are crisp, the cheese is melty, and the top is golden-brown in spots. It’s quick and easy to make and a great dish for any time of day.
What does croque monsieur mean?
The word “croque” is derived from the French verb croquer, which means “to bite,” and the word “monsieur” means “mister.”Where did croque monsieur originate?
This sandwich started showing up on French cafe menus in the early 1900s and first appeared in literature in Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time,” published between 1913 and 1927. Since then, this sandwich can be found in cafes, brasseries and bistros across Paris and Parisian cafes worldwide. Its popularity inspired variations around the world, like the American Monte Cristo and the Portuguese Francesinha. I made a pescatarian version of the sandwich with canned tuna salad instead of ham.What’s the Difference between croque madame and croque monsieur?
A croque madame is a variation of croque monsieur that has a fried or poached egg on top. It is said that the egg represents a woman’s hat.Croque monsieur essentials
1. The cheese.Croque monsieur is traditionally made with cheese commonly found in the French pantry. If possible use Gruyere, Emmental, or Comte.2. The bread.Pain de mie is the bread classically used in this recipe but if you can’t find it, another white flour loaf like a pullman loaf, sourdough, or white sandwich bread will work just fine.
