Classic Croque Madame

Classic Croque Madame

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 slices sourdough or wheat bread
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 ounces Gruyère or Emmenthaler cheese, thinly sliced
5 ounces sliced smoked ham
2 eggs

Directions:
Pinch salt
Pinch pepper
1. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Spread the other side of each bread slice
with a thin smear of mustard. Assemble 2 sandwiches using half of the cheese
and ham on each. Make sure the buttered sides are on the outside of the sandwich.
2. Place a skillet over medium heat. When heated, place the sandwiches in the
skillet. Cook each side for 3–4 minutes, or until they’re toasted and golden
brown. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
3. Place the remainder of the butter in the skillet. Once it has stopped foaming,
slowly pour 2 eggs into the skillet. Sprinkle each egg with salt and pepper. Cover
and let the eggs cook for 3–5 minutes, depending on how firm you like the yolks.
4. Center an egg on top of each sandwich, or inside for easier eating, and serve
while warm.
GARLIC AND LEMON FRESH HAM
Fresh picnic ham is just the uncured portion of the back leg used for making ham.
The connective tissue breaks down during the slow cooking to provide a great pork
flavor.
Yields 8–14 servings