Let’s start off the week at a Paris bistro. Whipping up a bunch of Croque Madame sandwiches will transport you there.

A Croque Madame is essentially grilled ham and cheese with an egg on top. Some versions include a cheesy mornay sauce, but this plain version is plenty rich already. It’s the perfect sandwich for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, snack…you name it. C’est magnifique!

Croque Madame

Ingredients:

1 pound thinly sliced Gruyère cheese, divided
16 slices sourdough bread
1-1/2 pounds thinly sliced deli ham
1/2 cup butter, softened
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
Fried Eggs (recipe follows)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Place half of the cheese on eight bread slices then top with ham and remaining bread. Spread outsides of sandwiches with softened butter.

3. On a griddle, toast sandwiches over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

4. Spread tops of sandwiches with mayonnaise then top with remaining cheese. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet.

5. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

6. Place eggs over sandwiches.

Serves 8

Fried Eggs

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
8 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon butter on griddle over medium-high heat. Break four eggs, one at a time, onto griddle. Reduce heat to low.

2. Cook until eggs are desired doneness, turning after whites are set if desired. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Recipes from Simple & Delicious Magazine

Paris-based Flegmatic have a new album just released last month. I have no idea what they are saying about Columbo, but it sure sounds like it must be something nice.

Check out Flegmatic on Bandcamp, where you can buy the music.

Cheers!