For a fun, French take on grilled cheese- check out this gluten free croque madame!
Grilled cheese must be one of the finest examples of classic comfort food. So basic and simple, yet so unbelievably delicious! With just 3 ingredients commonly found in everyone’s kitchen, you can have dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes (with some tomato soup, of course!)
If you’ve ever visited Paris, you know that French culture can be…well…sophisticated. So it’s only fitting, their version of grilled cheese has to be FANCY!
Imagine a gooey, crispy grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Now, let’s add a creamy béchamel sauce. Oh, and it’s topped with a poached or fried egg. Major sandwich upgrade!
Some people really like that oozing yolk. Hello, eggs benedict. For me, it’s just not my favorite. So, while it may not look quite as pretty- I would top with a scrambled egg.
Also, this is a very Americanized version of a béchamel sauce. I don’t think the French are very well known for using cream cheese. Delicious, none the less!
And, the French LOVE their bread- you won’t find any open-faced sandwiches there!
Ingredients in a Gluten Free Croque Madame
Gluten Free Bread
Ham
Cheese- Gruyère is the most common choice
Cream Cheese
Butter
Milk
Mustard
What is a croque madame?
A croque madame is basically a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, with a béchamel sauce. The cheese of choice is often Gruyère. Then, it’s served with a poached or fried egg on top.
Croque Madame vs. Croque Monsieur
Both French dishes include all of the same ingredients. These grilled sandwiches can be prepared in the oven or fried in a skillet. Croque monsieurs involve bread, ham, cheese, and often a béchamel sauce. The bread is dipped into the egg before cooking, similar to French toast. Croque madames are served with a poached or fried egg on top. These sandwiches originated in French cafes and bars as a quick snack. If you’re in France and having difficulty translating the menu, look for one of these!
What does croque mean?
Croque translates to “crunchy bite.”
20 minutes
Gluten Free Croque Madames
Ingredients
- Butter or olive oil
- 2 slices gluten free bread
- 1/2 lb. ham, thinly sliced
- 1/2 c. gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2 eggs
Bechamel
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 2 oz. cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp. milk
- 1/2 c. gruyere, shredded
- 1 tsp. mustard
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet over low heat. Brush butter or olive oil on the slices of bread. Raise the heat to medium-low, and toast the bottom of the slices of bread. Next, flip the bread. Layer ham and cheese on top of each slice.
- In a small saucepan, heat the butter, cream cheese, and milk until smooth. Whisk occasionally. Then, whisk in the gruyere, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over the sandwiches. If desired, top with additional shredded cheese.
- In a small skillet, melt butter (or olive oil). Crack one egg into the pan. Cook for 3 minutes, or until white is completely set. Remove from pan and season with salt and pepper. Place on top of the grilled sandwiches and enjoy!