Croque Monsieur Strata Recipes

CROQUE-MONSIEUR

Steps:

• Use 2 tablespoons of the butter to spread over one side of each slice of bread. On three of the slices, spread a layer of Dijon mustard over the butter, and top each with 4 slices of ham. On the other three, spread mayonnaise, and top each one with 2 slices of Swiss cheese. Press ham and cheese sides of sandwiches together.
• In a flat bottomed dish, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, and water until blended. Set aside.
• Heat remaining butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip both sides of each sandwich in the egg mixture, and fry in the oil and butter until browned, flipping to brown on each side.

CROQUE-MONSIEUR

Steps:

• Preheat a two-sided electric griddle on medium-high to high for about 20 minutes, or preheat the oven to 300 degrees and preheat a cast-iron skillet on top of the stove for about 5 minutes. Prepare a bechamel sauce: in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. When bubbles have subsided, add flour and whisk vigorously for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil, and cook until thick. Remove from heat, and season to taste with salt and nutmeg.
• Spread two slices of bread generously with sauce. Lay two slices of ham on top of each, and top each with a slice of cheese; ham and cheese should slightly overlap edges of bread. Top each with a slice of bread.
• In a small saucepan, melt remaining the 4 tablespoons butter. Brush the sandwiches on both sides with butter, making sure that the edges are well covered. If you're using a griddle, place cheese side down, close the griddle and cook until the bread is toasted dark and cheese is leaking out and bubbling. If you're using a skillet, place sandwiches cheese side down and cook on stove top until well browned, then turn and brown again. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake until heated through and cheese is bubbling. Serve hot.

CROQUE MONSIEUR STRATA

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place bread cubes in baking dish. Sprinkle with ham and 1 cup of the cheese.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic in butter 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Cook and stir until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat; stir in thyme and mustard.
• In medium bowl, beat eggs well. Stir small amount of hot mixture into eggs, then stir egg mixture back into hot mixture. Cook over low heat about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until thickened. Pour over ham and cheese in baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 4 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Uncover baking dish. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until puffed and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Cut into squares. Garnish with chives.