Croque Monsieur (aka Fancy Ham and Cheese)

INGREDIENTS (Makes 2 Sandwiches)

• 4 slices of Sandwich Bread crust removed and lightly toasted
• ¼ pounds Baked Ham sliced very thinly
• Mornay Sauce (makes enough for at least 4 Sandwiches)
• 2 ounces 4 tablespoons Sweet Butter
• 1 ounce 5 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• 2 cups Hot Milk
• 1 ½ cup about 5 ounces Gruyere or Swiss Cheese grated
• 1 cup Parmesan Reggiano grated
• 2 ounces Brie Cheese optional
• 2 ounces Cream
• 3 Egg Yolks

DIRECTIONS

For the Mornay Sauce:

1. In a saucepan, heat the butter and when melted add the flour mix well and add the milk and whisk well until very smooth.  Salt and pepper to taste.
2. Add the cheeses and cook the sauce for 10 minutes.  Add the cream and quickly mix in the egg yolks.  Cover the sauce with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to let the sauce solidify.

Preheat the Oven to 450F / 230C

1. Place one slice of the lightly toasted bread on a cookie sheet and add a little mornay sauce.  Add the ham slices on top of the sauce, add more mornay sauce and add a little more gruyere.  Add another slice of bread on top and squeeze the sandwich.  Add a couple tablespoons of the mornay sauce on the top of the sandwich. And bake in the oven until golden brown.
2. For a Croque Madame just place a cooked sunny side egg on top.