Mushroom Croque-Monsieur

Ingredients for Mushroom Croque-Monsieur

• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter

• 1 1/2 tablespoons plain flour

• 350ml whole milk

• 1 bay leaf

• 120ml finely grated Parmesan cheese

• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

• Hot pepper sauce

• 1 230g package crimini (baby bella) or button mushrooms, trimmed

• 110ml butter, room temperature, divided

• 2 tablespoons minced shallot

• 12 1/3-inch-thick slices egg bread

• 6 thin ham slices

• 350g Gruyère cheese

• 250g thinly sliced, 90g grated

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh tarragon leaves (optional)

Melt butter in heavy-medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; stir until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Whisk in milk. Add bay leaf. Increase heat to medium-high; whisk until mixture begins to boil. Reduce heat to medium; stir until sauce coats back of spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cheese and nutmeg. Season with hot sauce, salt, and pepper.

Place mushrooms in processor. Using on/off turns, process until finely chopped. Melt 45ml butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and shallot; stir until mushrooms are browned and dry, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate to cool.

Preheat grill. Spread remaining butter over 1 side of bread slices. Place bread, buttered side up, on rimmed baking sheet. Grill until golden, watching closely and rotating sheet halfway through grilling, about 3 minutes. Cool bread. Preheat oven to 232°C. Turn 6 bread slices over; top with ham and sliced cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, grilled side up. Press to compress. Spread about 2 tablespoons sauce over sandwiches, leaving 1/3-inch plain border. Divide mushroom mixture atop sauce. Sprinkle with grated Gruyère and Parmesan.

Bake sandwiches until cheese inside melts and cheese on top turns golden, about 10 minutes. Top with tarragon, if desired.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.