Banana Croque Monsieur Food

BANANA CROQUE-MONSIEUR

Steps:

• Heat a sandwich griddle or a large skillet on medium-high. Spread butter on one side of each bread slice, using equal portions butter. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar evenly over each side.
• Place four bread slices on a work surface, butter-and-sugar side down. Place bananas in equal portions on the slices, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Sprinkle a large pinch of cinnamon, a pinch of ginger and a pinch of fleur de sel on each slice, and then drizzle 2 teaspoons condensed milk over the slice.
• Top each sandwich with a slice of bread, butter-and-sugar side up. Transfer sandwiches to griddle and cook until edges are crisp and well browned and sandwiches are warmed through, about 4 minutes. (Alternatively, cook sandwiches in skillet, using a large spatula to gently compress them and brown them evenly, about 2 minutes on each side.) Garnish with lemon zest, and serve hot.

CROQUE MONSIEUR

Steps:

• Make the bechamel. In a small saucepot, heat the milk over medium heat until warm to the touch; set aside. In a separate small saucepot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking continuously, until the raw flour taste has been cooked out, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the warm milk until smooth. Grate the nutmeg into the bechamel.
• Season the bechamel with salt and bring to a simmer, whisking continuously, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the Gruyere. Whisk the mixture until smooth and set aside.
• Assemble the sandwiches. Heat the broiler on high. Set the bread on a sheet pan and place 3 slices of the ham on each slice of bread. Spoon a thin layer of the bechamel on top of the ham. Divide the Gruyere evenly among the sandwiches and season with pepper. Broil until the cheese melts and turns golden brown, about 3 minutes.

CROQUE-MONSIEUR

Steps:

• Use 2 tablespoons of the butter to spread over one side of each slice of bread. On three of the slices, spread a layer of Dijon mustard over the butter, and top each with 4 slices of ham. On the other three, spread mayonnaise, and top each one with 2 slices of Swiss cheese. Press ham and cheese sides of sandwiches together.
• In a flat bottomed dish, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, and water until blended. Set aside.
• Heat remaining butter and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip both sides of each sandwich in the egg mixture, and fry in the oil and butter until browned, flipping to brown on each side.

CROQUE MONSIEUR

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour, and cook until foaming, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Continue to cook, stirring, until the cooking diminishes the flour taste, about 3 minutes.
• In a medium saucepan, warm milk. Slowly add warm milk to butter-flour mixture, stirring so that no lumps form. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in half of grated cheese, and season to taste with salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne. Cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and set aside to cool.
• Toast the bread on both sides in a hot oven until golden brown. Arrange 4 pieces of toast on work surface, and spread with a small amount of sauce. Cover with a slice of cheese, slice of ham, and another slice of cheese. Top each sandwich with another piece of toast. Spread with additional béchamel sauce, and sprinkle each sandwich with remaining 1/2 cup grated cheese.
• Place sandwiches in an ovenproof pan brushed with butter, and bake in 450°F oven until heated through, about 4 minutes. Transfer to broiler, and broil until golden brown and bubbly.