How to Make a Croque Monsieur: AKA the Best Hangover Food of All Time

A croque monsieur is worth the effort. Even if your head is pounding and you are full of regret; it is the best medicine. It’s a buttery, cheesey, amped up grilled cheese that is topped with an egg to get you ready to face whatever horrible decisions you made the night before.

Despite the fact that the croque monsieur may take a few more steps than your typical breakfast sandwich, isn’t it worth it for filling the holes in your soul? The answer is yes and the time is now. So next time that hangxiety is kicking in, remember this recipe and get back to feeling human ASAP.

Serves 2

Suggested Cocktail Pairing:

You need to have a bloody mary with a croque monsieur. That law.

Ingredients:

4 slices of brioche bread

2 eggs

4 slices of gruyere cheese

4 slices of ham (I am not a pork person, so I make mine vegetarian by adding lettuce and tomato. Also, vegetables don’t hurt!)

2 tablespoons of good dijon mustard

1/2 cup of milk

At least 3 tablespoons of butter

1 tablespoon of flour

1 teaspoon of thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat.
2. Take 2 of your 4 slices of gruyere and dice them up. This will be part of the exterior of your sandwich; just trust me.
3. Make a roux by whisking the flour into the melted butter. Whisk until smooth and then whisk in the milk. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring it just to a simmer, add the diced gruyere, and then remove it from the heat.
4. Assemble the sandwich by liberally slathering dijon mustard on one side of the brioche bread and add a slice of gruyere, 2 ham slices (and/or lettuce and tomato if you wish), and top with the second slice of brioche.
5. Dip the sandwich into the roux and then fry that sandwich bomb of goodness in another tablespoon of butter like a grilled cheese.
6. Meanwhile, fry an egg or two in another tablespoon of butter – sunny side up preferred – for the perfect sandwich topper. And voila! Life is not that bad after all!

If you want a healthier breakfast sandwich option, try my breakfast tortilla wrap!