CROQUE MADAME* Recipe

Prepare the Béchamel Sauce

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for about 1 minute until it turns a light golden color. Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and stir in half of the grated parmesan cheese.

Assemble the Croque Madame

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a baking sheet, lay out two slices of brioche. Top each with a slice of ham, a slice of swiss cheese, and a generous amount of béchamel sauce. Place the remaining slices of brioche on top. Spread more béchamel sauce on top of each sandwich and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.

Bake the Sandwiches

Bake the assembled sandwiches in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Cook the Eggs

While the sandwiches are baking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet and cook them sunny-side up until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny.

Prepare the Breakfast Potatoes

In another skillet, cook the diced breakfast potatoes in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown and tender, about 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

Remove the sandwiches from the oven. Top each sandwich with a sunny-side-up egg. Serve alongside the breakfast potatoes.