Estimated and estimated readers, welcome to Paulina Kitchen ! Today we talk to you elegantly because we are going to talk about a sandwich that is elegant by name and appearance: croque Madame .
exquisite and irresistible creation stands out for its combination of flavors: one of the best doubles of the world, ham and cheese , moistened by a creamy bechamel sauce, and finally the touch of the fried egg that is something like the dessert cherry.
Today we are going to review all the details of this recipe, what is necessary to prepare this delicacy at home, the details of its preparation, its characteristics, the differences and similarities that it has with its pair, the croque Monsieur .
Some tips to take into account, and a simple recipe by Croque Madame to enjoy at home on any occasion.
About croque Madame
Croque Madame , an emblem of French cuisine, is much more than a simple sandwich. It is a perfect combination of flavors and textures, where toasted bread, ham, cheese and egg create an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
This delicacy, which fuses the classic and the contemporary, has earned a special place in the table of simple food lovers, but gourmet . This delicious creation is an elegant variant of its closest relative, the croque Monsieur, later I tell you a little more about this close family relationship.
The distinctive characteristic of the recipe of Croque Madame lies in the addition of a fried egg on top, that crowns the upper part of the sandwich, raising its flavor and texture to new heights.
Everything you didn't know about Croque Madame
- Texture melody: The combination of crispy bread, ham and melted cheese, complemented by the softness of the Bechamel sauce, creates a unique textures melody in each bite, with the fried egg for the taste auction.
- High creaminess: The Bechamel sauce adds a touch of indulgence, wrapping each ingredient in a silky and delicious layer.
- Intense flavor: the fusion of intense flavors, from the salty of ham to the wealth of the Bechamel sauce, makes Croque Madame an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
- Perfect for all occasions: from special breakfast to informal dinners, Croque Madamese adapts to several occasions, becoming the protagonist of your culinary moments.
- Elegant and simple: although its result may seem sophisticated, this French sandwich stands out for being a simple but elegant preparation at the same time.
Origin and History of Croque Madame
With an origin that dates back to the beautiful Époque in Paris, the croque Madame emerges as a refined variant of his relative, the croque Monsieur, who omitted the egg.
- The incorporation of the egg into this sandwich has to do with the use of hats or headdresses that women used at that time, hence their name.
While the precise moment of its creation is not clear, it is believed that the version of this French sandwich became popular in the coffee shops and binds of Paris at the beginning of the 20th century.
Since that time, Croque Madame has become a classic in French cuisine sandwiches lovers .
Differences and similarities between the croque Monsieur and Croque Madame
Although they share the essence of bread, ham, cheese and bechamel sauce , the main difference lies in the addition of the egg to the Madame croque.
- The names "Croque Madame" and "Croque Monsieur" have their roots in the French language and reflect the key differences between these two delicious sandwiches.
- The term "croque monsieur" is literally translated as "bite, sir." The word "croque" comes from the French verb "croquer", which means "bite" or "creak", and "monsieur" is a respectful way of addressing a man, equivalent to "lord" in Spanish.
- For its part in "Croque Madame", the term "Madame" is used as a title of respect for women, equivalent to "lady" in Spanish.
The inclusion of the egg in the upper part of the sandwich gives it a distinctive characteristic that resembles the hats used by women at the beginning of the 20th century.
5 tips to prepare croque Madame
- The detail of the roasted point is important , so I recommend that you make sure not to exceed first in the toast of the bread, because it will end up toast in the gratin we do in the oven.
- Experiment with different types of cheeses , emmental or gruyere type, that are gratin and founded, but do not get rid of. It can be used in fetas or grated.
- Do not pass from the cooking time of the egg , whether fried or poché egg , to obtain a creamy yolk.
- Elegant presentation. Serve the Madame croque at the time, to maintain its temperature, and decorate with parsley leaves, powdered paprika or other herbs, to highlight its colors.
- It is important that the Bechamel sauce has a rather thick consistency so that it does not spread over the sandwich. The nutmeg gives you a special flavor.
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Croque Madame recipe
Yield : 4 portions
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Ingredients for the recipe of Croque Madame
- 4 slices of mold bread
- 8 cooked ham fetas
- 4 Gruyere cheese fetas
- 50 g of grated cheese
- 4 eggs
- Frying oil
For the Bechamel sauce:
How to make Madame step by step
- Bechamel sauce preparation: In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and mix well to form a mixture.
- Pour the milk gradually while stirring, to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture over low heat by stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Reserve.
- MADAME MOUNT: Preheat the oven at 180 ° C. Slightly toast the slices of bread in a toaster or iron.
- Spread each slicing of bread with bechamel sauce, place on one of them the fetas of ham and cheese, these must completely cover the bread surface for a uniform taste and close.
- Cover each lid with a new layer of bechamel sauce on top and grated cheese. Bake to gratin for a few minutes, until the surface is golden.
- In a separate pan, cook fried or poached eggs.
- Place the cooked eggs on each sandwich and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
