Croque monsieur

October 15, 2008

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

3/4 cup milk

Pinch each of salt, pepper and nutmeg

8 slices French, Italian or sourdough bread, 1/2-inch thick

4 slices deli ham, 1/8-inch-thick

8 to 10 ounces shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese (2 to 2 1/2 cups), divided

Softened butter, for buttering bread

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until bubbly. Add the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg, to taste. Remove from heat.

Place 4 slices of bread on a baking sheet. Top each with a slice of ham and about 1/4 cup of cheese. Top with remaining bread.

Preheat broiler (to low setting, if possible) and position rack 6 inches from the heat. Butter the outside of the sandwiches on both sides.

Place them on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Broil sandwiches until golden, flipping halfway through, about 2 minutes per side. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Spoon 1/4 of the sauce (about 3 tablespoons) over each sandwich. Top each sandwich evenly with the remaining cheese. Return them to the broiler and cook until cheese starts to brown, about 2 minutes.

Adapted from The Food Nanny

Rescues Dinner

Nutrition facts per serving: 457 calories, 25 g fat, 14 g saturated fat, 83 mg cholesterol, 30 g carbohydrates, 27 g protein, 804 mg sodium, 2 g fiber