Ever since I returned home from Paris, this unforgettable sandwich has lingered in my thoughts—haunting me in the best possible way. And oh, the wine! Paris truly deserves its reputation as the world’s most romantic city.
In 2019, my husband and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary by traveling through Germany and France. The entire trip felt like a dream, but it was a humble sandwich at a charming bistro beside the Chateau de Versailles that stole my heart. Amidst all the exquisite cuisine, it was this simple creation that left the most lasting impression.
I remember taking my very first photograph of the palace—pure swoon! The town was enchanting, and the palace itself surpassed all my expectations. One of the things we noticed while in France was the incredible hospitality. Everyone we met was genuinely concerned with our happiness, from the establishment to the food and the service. It was unlike anything I had experienced before, making me feel truly special.
Our server at the bistro was a young man, perhaps nineteen. He spoke as much English as I did French—which meant just a handful of greetings and random words. Despite the language barrier, he was wonderfully attentive. When he brought out my Croque Monsieur, my jaw dropped. This was not your average ham and cheese sandwich! It had a bubbling layer of béchamel sauce draped over thick, crunchy slices of French bread, filled with savory ham, parmesan, and gruyere cheese. I wasn’t prepared for such a simple lunch to spark an ongoing craving for this meal—but here I am, still dreaming of it.
When I recreated the sandwich at home, I added a hint of garlic and nutmeg to my béchamel sauce. It turned out exactly as I hoped!
This recipe yields four servings. Let’s begin!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, sliced into 8 pieces
- 2 cups gruyere cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 12 ounces of ham
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- Spicy brown mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- Begin by preparing the béchamel sauce. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Slowly add the milk in portions, whisking between each addition. Continue whisking and cooking until the sauce thickens. Remove the pan from heat, then stir in the parmesan and 1/2 cup of the gruyere until melted. Set aside.
- Next, assemble the sandwiches. Slice the bread and spread the remaining butter on the outside of each slice. On one side of four bread slices, spread spicy mustard. Divide the ham evenly among the four slices, then top with a generous handful of gruyere (saving some for the topping).
- Heat pan or griddle over medium-high. Cook until browned on both sides.
- Spoon a generous amount of béchamel sauce over each sandwich, sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Place under the broiler for about five minutes—watch closely so it doesn’t burn! If using a griddle- place under a dome and use a kitchen torch to get the cheese golden and brown.
- Serve with a small salad, French fries, or soup. Take that first bite and let the flavors whisk you right back to Paris!
