Croque Monsieur

• servings: 4

Ingredients

8 slices thick white bread

8 slices of ham

90g Gruyere, grated

1 tsp herbes de Provence

For the béchamel:

60g butter

4 tbsp plain flour

400mI whole milk

2 tbsp wholegrain mustard

½ ground nutmeg

Directions

1 To make the béchamel, melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for three minutes, still whisking, until incorporated.

2 Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring until smooth. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce has thickened.

3 Whisk in the mustard and nutmeg.

4 Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/ gas mark 7 and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

5 Spread the bread slices with the béchamel, making sure to spread it all the way to the edges.

6 Place four slices of bread, béchamel side- up, on the baking sheet. Top with the ham and half of the cheese.

7 Top with the remaining slices of bread, béchamel side-up, then top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle with herbes de Provence.

8 Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is brown and bubbling. Slice the sandwiches and serve immediately.