Description
Croque Marmite is a deliciously indulgent variation of the classic French Croque Monsieur, featuring a rich Marmite-infused béchamel sauce, melted Gruyère and cheddar cheese, and slices of ham, all grilled to golden perfection. Optionally topped with a fried egg and served with a fresh vinegary salad, this recipe is perfect for a comforting and flavorful brunch or lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Béchamel Sauce
- 20g salted butter
- 20g plain flour
- 250ml whole milk
- ¼ nutmeg, finely grated
- 2 tsp Marmite
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 250g Gruyère, grated
- 50g Cheddar, grated
For the Sandwiches
- 8 thick slices of white bread
- 4 slices of ham
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 eggs (optional)
To Serve
- Salad (vinegary dressing suggested)
Instructions
- Make the béchamel sauce: Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Once foaming, add the flour and stir constantly to form a paste. Cook for 1 minute while stirring, then gradually add the milk, a splash at a time, stirring continuously until smooth and thickened.
- Season the sauce: Whisk in the grated nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of Marmite, and the Dijon mustard. Season with black pepper and a small pinch of salt. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in 50g of grated Gruyère and all the cheddar until melted and well combined.
- Toast the bread: Preheat the grill to high. Place the bread slices on a baking tray under the grill for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Flip the slices so the untoasted side is facing up.
- Prepare the sandwiches: Spread each bread slice with a smear of Marmite and sprinkle the remaining Gruyère over the Marmite. Grill the slices briefly until the cheese melts. Top half of the slices with ham, then cover with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
- Add béchamel and grill: Spread 3-4 tablespoons of the béchamel sauce over the top of each closed sandwich. Return the sandwiches to the grill and cook until the béchamel topping is golden, bubbling, and has some charred spots.
- Optional fried egg topping: If using eggs, heat the vegetable oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Crack in each egg and cook to desired doneness. Drain on kitchen paper and place on top of the sandwiches.
- Serve: Serve the Croque Marmite hot with a fresh, vinegary salad on the side for a balanced, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Using the grill allows you to prepare several croques at once, which is perfect for feeding a crowd.
- The Marmite adds a unique umami depth; adjust the amount to taste if you prefer a milder flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with semi-skimmed milk and use less cheese.
- Serving the sandwich with a crisp vinegary salad helps cut through its richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 673
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
