Sandwiches

How to make Croque Madame

A croque monsieur crowned with a softly fried egg.

What it is

Croque Madame in the kitchen

Croque Madame is a croque monsieur crowned with a softly fried egg.

Why make it

Make Croque Madame when you want a recognisable sandwich with a strong sense of place and a clear balance of bread, filling, moisture, acidity and texture.

Best with

lunch, casual dinner, street-food night, weekend cooking and global sandwich tasting menus

Method

Step-by-step

  1. Step 1

    Build two ham-and-Gruyère sandwiches with a little Dijon.

  2. Step 2

    Toast until golden, then cover the tops with béchamel and more Gruyère.

  3. Step 3

    Grill until browned and bubbling.

  4. Step 4

    Meanwhile fry the eggs so the whites are set and the yolks remain soft.

  5. Step 5

    Set one egg over each croque and serve immediately.

    Look for: browned cheese with a glossy soft egg yolk ready to run into the sandwich Tip: Finish the sandwich first, then fry the eggs so both arrive hot. Avoid: overcooking the egg before the croque is ready
Storage

Make ahead and storage

Storage

Store prepared fillings separately in the refrigerator and assemble as close to serving as possible.

Make ahead

Prepare sauces, pickles and cooked fillings ahead where practical; refresh, reheat or toast just before assembly.