Croque Madame Gourmand

A gourmet twist on the classic Croque Madame sandwich, featuring layers of ham, cheese, and a creamy bechamel sauce, topped with a fried egg.

Ingredients - Serves 2

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Gradually whisk in the milk, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the Dijon mustard. Set aside.
Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Place 2 slices of bread on the skillet and top each with a slice of ham and a slice of Gruyere cheese.
Spread a generous amount of the bechamel sauce on the remaining 2 slices of bread and place them on top of the ham and cheese.
Cook the sandwiches for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
In a separate skillet, fry the eggs to your desired doneness.
Place each cooked sandwich on a plate and top with a fried egg.
Garnish with chopped chives and serve hot.