Recipes

Montreal Croque Madame

This Montreal twist on the classic croque madame takes the humble ham and cheese sandwich to new heights. Smoky turkey and nutty Gruyère are layered between thick slices of sourdough, then topped with a rich Mornay sauce. A sunny-side-up egg crowns each sandwich making it truly the Queen of Sandwiches.
Serves 4
Prep Time 10 min
Cook Time 25 min

Ingredients

  • Sandwich

    • 8 slices sourdough bread, 3/4 inch thick
    • 2 tbsp (30 mL) Dijon mustard
    • 2 cups (500 mL) Gruyere cheese, shredded
    • 1 lb (0.5 kg) Montreal smoked turkey, sliced
    • ¼ cup (60 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 4 large eggs
  • Mornay sauce - Makes approximately 1 cup

    • 4 tsp (20 mL) unsalted butter
    • 4 tsp (20 mL) all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup (250 mL) milk
    • ½ cup (125 mL) heavy (35%) cream
    • ¼ cup (60 mL) Gruyere cheese, shredded
    • Pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
    • Pinch salt
    • Pinch pepper

Instructions

  • Sandwich

    • Step 1

      Preheat broiler.

    • Step 2

      Spread 4 slices of bread with mustard. Top each slice with 1/4 cup cheese. Divide smoked meat among slices and sprinkle each with 1/4 cup remaining cheese. Top with remaining bread slices. Butter both sides of each sandwich.

    • Step 3

      Set a large skillet over medium heat. Working in two batches, cook sandwiches until golden and crisp, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer sandwiches to small baking sheet.

    • Step 4

      Spoon 4 tbsp (60 mL) Mornay sauce over each sandwich. Broil until brown, about 2 minutes.

    • Step 5

      Top each sandwich with a sunny-side-up fried egg and serve immediately.

  • Mornay sauce

    • Step 1

      In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sprinkle in flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

    • Step 2

      Whisk in milk and cream. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in cheese and nutmeg. Season to taste with salt and pepper and keep warm until ready with use.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving
Calories1285
Fat60 g
Saturated Fat33 g
Trans Fat1 g
Carbohydrate125 g
Fibre5 g
Sugars12 g
Protein70 g
Sodium2485 mg