Chef Nico Sackmann from Baiersbronn, a Michelin-starred cook, offers his top-notch recipe for a Croque Monsieur
Nico Sackmann, the renowned chef at Schlossberg in Baiersbronn-Schwarzenberg, has shared his unique take on the classic French dish, the Croque Monsieur. This ham and cheese toast is a delightful treat that serves two people.
The Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need 6 slices of toast, 6 slices of tomato, 6 slices of cooked ham, and 12 slices of Gruyère (alternatively Gouda or Emmental). Additionally, you'll need ingredients for the mustard cream and tomato salad.
The Mustard Cream
The mustard cream, a tangy and flavourful accompaniment, is made from 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp coarse mustard (e.g. Pommery mustard), 1 tbsp fig mustard, 2 tbsp sour cream, 1 tbsp tarragon vinegar, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
The Tomato Salad
The fresh and zesty tomato salad is prepared using 12 cherry tomatoes, preferably mixed, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2-3 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
Assembling the Croque Monsieur
To assemble the dish, begin by preheating the toast for 30 seconds in the microwave or oven before frying. Next, layer three slices of toast, two slices of cheese, a slice of cooked ham, two slices of tomato, another slice of ham, and two slices of cheese. Cover this with the remaining three slices of toast.
Heat the Croque Monsieur in the microwave for 30 seconds or at 80Β°C in the oven for 10 minutes before frying in melted butter until golden brown on both sides.
Serving the Croque Monsieur
Once the Croque Monsieur is cooked, cool the toast ends, and dip them in the mustard cream before eating. The dish is then diagonally cut into halves and arranged on plates with the tomato salad and mustard cream.
Variations
For those seeking a vegetarian option, Sackmann offers a Croque Veggie with grilled vegetables instead of ham. For an even heartier meal, try the Croque Madame, which includes a fried egg on top.
A quick search reveals that Sackmann's Croque Monsieur recipe variation is not widely replicated by other chefs, making it a unique and delicious addition to your culinary repertoire. Enjoy!
