Patrick Oconnell
The croque monsieur is a French grilled ham and cheese sandwich. It is traditionally made with baked or boiled ham and sliced cheese between slices of pain de mie, topped with grated cheese and lightly salted and peppered, and then baked in an oven or fried in a frying pan. The bread may be browned by grilling after being dipped in beaten egg. The cheese traditionally used in a croque monsieur is Gruyère, but Comté, Emmental, and Swiss cheese are also popular alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Hard French mountain cheese |
| Cheese options | Gruyère, Comté, Emmental, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Swiss Cheese, Leerdammer |
| Cheese texture | Melts very well |
| Cheese aroma | Nutty |
| Bread type | Pain de mie, Pullman Bread, Sourdough, Ciabatta, Pane di casa, Stone-baked bread |
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What You'll Learn
Gruyère is the traditional choice
Gruyère is a hard French mountain cheese with a nutty flavour and aroma. It is an excellent melting cheese, which is important for a croque monsieur, as the cheese is placed inside the sandwich and grilled or toasted until melted. Gruyère is commonly used in croque monsieur as it is affordable and easily available in France. It is also a popular choice because of its mild flavour, which pairs well with the ham.
While Gruyère is the traditional choice, other cheeses can also be used. Comté, Emmental, and Swiss cheese are all popular alternatives. These cheeses are similar to Gruyère in that they are hard mountain cheeses with nutty flavours and good melting qualities. Some recipes also call for the use of mozzarella or parmesan, though these are less traditional.
When making a croque monsieur, it is important to choose a bread that can withstand the weight and moisture of the fillings. A sturdy bread such as sourdough or a tight-crumbed soft bread like pain de mie is a good choice. The bread can be toasted before assembling the sandwich to help keep it intact.
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Comté is a popular alternative
A croque monsieur is a French grilled ham and cheese sandwich. It is traditionally made with baked or boiled ham and sliced cheese between slices of pain de mie, topped with grated cheese and lightly salted and peppered, and then baked in an oven or fried in a frying pan.
While Gruyère is the cheese traditionally used in a croque monsieur, Comté is a popular alternative. Comté is a French hard mountain cheese that is commonly found in France and is also affordable. It has a delicious nutty aroma, is flavourful yet not too strong, and melts very well.
In France, Comté and Emmental are popular choices for croque monsieur. However, in places like Sydney, they can be harder to come by and more expensive. In such cases, Gruyère and Swiss cheese are ideal alternatives, as they have excellent flavour and melting qualities.
While the type of cheese used in a croque monsieur can vary, the bread traditionally used is pain de mie, which is a soft white bread with a tight crumb that is perfect for holding melty cheese without it leaking out. The bread may also be optionally browned by grilling after being dipped in beaten egg.
The croque monsieur is often served with a béchamel sauce, made from flour, butter, milk, and a pinch of nutmeg. The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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Emmental is another option
Emmental is a popular choice in France, but it can be harder to come by and more expensive in other parts of the world, such as Sydney. If you are unable to source Emmental, Gruyère is a good alternative and is commonly used in croque monsieur sandwiches. It is also a French hard mountain cheese with a nutty flavour and excellent melting qualities. It is typically easier to find in supermarkets.
When making a croque monsieur, it is important to choose a cheese that will melt well and not leak out of the sandwich. The bread used should also be considered when choosing the cheese. A soft bread, such as standard sandwich bread, should be toasted first to help keep the sandwich intact. A sturdier bread, such as sourdough, can be used without toasting, and the tight crumb of a white classic Pain de Mie or Pullman Bread is ideal for holding the melty cheese without leakage.
While Emmental and Gruyère are traditional choices, a croque monsieur can be made with any good melting cheese, such as cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella. However, some believe that mozzarella lacks flavour compared to Gruyère. Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on personal preference and availability.
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Parmesan can be added for a crispy layer
Parmesan can be added to a croque monsieur to create a crispy layer on top. This is done by sprinkling parmesan over the sandwich after frying it and spreading it with sauce, before placing it under the grill.
A croque monsieur is a French grilled sandwich made with ham and cheese. The traditional cheese used is Gruyère, but Comté, Emmental, and Swiss cheese are also popular choices in France. Parmesan is not usually included in the list of traditional cheeses, but it can be added for a crispy texture.
The sandwich is typically made by spreading a layer of béchamel sauce on bread slices, adding ham and cheese, and then grilling or baking the sandwich. The béchamel sauce is made by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour, and gradually adding milk to create a smooth mixture. Seasonings such as salt, pepper, nutmeg, and mustard can be added to the sauce for flavour.
Some recipes suggest melting the Gruyère into the béchamel sauce, while others recommend keeping the sauce separate and using a large amount of shredded cheese on top of the sandwich. The choice of bread is also important, with a soft bread like pain de mie or Pullman bread being traditional, but sturdier options like sourdough or ciabatta can also be used.
By adding parmesan to the fried sandwich before grilling, a crispy layer can be achieved, enhancing the texture and flavour of the croque monsieur.
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Mozzarella can be used instead of Gruyère
Mozzarella is a good melting cheese, but it may lack the flavour of Gruyère. Gruyère is a hard French mountain cheese with a nutty flavour that melts very well. It is also affordable and easy to find in France. However, it may be slightly more expensive in North America.
If you are unable to get your hands on Gruyère, mozzarella is a good alternative. Other alternatives include other hard French mountain cheeses such as Comté or Emmental, or even Swiss cheese. These cheeses are similar to Gruyère in that they are flavourful yet not too strong, have nutty aromas, and melt very well.
Ultimately, a croque monsieur can be made with any good melting cheese, such as cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or even mozzarella. So feel free to experiment with different cheeses to find your favourite combination.
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Frequently asked questions
Gruyère is the most traditional cheese used in a croque monsieur. However, Comté, Emmental, and Swiss cheese are also common alternatives.
A white Classic Pain de Mie (or Pullman Bread in North America) is the most traditional bread used for a croque monsieur.
A croque madame is a croque monsieur served with a poached or lightly fried egg on top.
A Monte Cristo is a ham and cheese sandwich that is dipped in egg and fried, similar to French toast.
The croque monsieur is a French bistro classic that dates back to at least the 19th century.
