Croque Madame

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
• 4 slices white bread
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 3 ounces best-quality deli ham, thinly sliced
• 2 large eggs
• Ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the broiler with the rack in the top position. In small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over high heat. Whisk in flour and cook until lightly golden. Add milk and salt and whisk constantly until mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir into the sauce the nutmeg and half the cheese.
2. Lay the slices of bread on a baking sheet. Divide the Dijon between 2 slices and top with ham. Divide half of the bechamel between the remaining 2 bread slices and top with remaining cheese. Close the sandwiches.
3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook both sides until bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Return sandwiches to the baking sheet, top with remaining bechamel, and place under the broiler until bubbly, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, melt remaining butter in the same skillet over high heat. Fry eggs, sunny side up, for about 2 minutes. Top sandwiches with fried egg, season with black pepper, and serve immediately.