croquemonsieur

A croque-monsieur is a classic French hot sandwich made with ham and melted cheese. It is typically built on slices of white bread, filled with ham and cheese such as Gruyère or Emmental, and often finished with a layer of béchamel sauce before toasting or baking.

The sandwich is assembled with butter on the outside and grilled on a hot pan or baked until the bread is crisp and the cheese melted. In traditional versions, the béchamel is spread between the ham and cheese, and extra cheese is added on top before browning.

Origins are not precisely documented, but the dish arose in French cafés in the early 20th century, typically associated with Paris. The name derives from croquer (to crunch) and monsieur, roughly translating as “crunchy gentleman” or “mister crunch.”

A croque-monsieur is sometimes served with a fried or poached egg on top, in which case the dish is called a croque-madame. Variations include using Dijon mustard, substituting different cheeses, or adding ingredients such as mushrooms; non-Parisian versions exist worldwide and are commonly served with a salad or pickles.