Rachael Ray: French Onion Croque Madame Recipe with Bechamel Sauce

Rachael Ray: French Onion Soup + Croque Madame

Rachael Ray whipped up a lunch or simple dinner idea of French Onion Croque Madame. She mashed up French Onion Soup with the Croque Madame. This is easy to pop into the oven at any time of day.

The difference between a Croque Monsieur and a Croque Madame is not much. Both feature ham and cheese, but the Madame comes with an egg. “You don’t want a heavy, smoky flavor because you don’t want it to overpower the sweetness of the onions,” Rachael said in choosing a ham for this meal.

Rachael made her eggs over easy, but you can do them any way you like.

Rachael Ray: French Onion Croque Madame Recipe Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Butter
• 1 tbsp Thyme
• 1 cup Veal Stock
• 3 thin sliced Onions
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1/4 cup Dry Sherry
• Salt & Pepper

Bechamel Sauce Ingredients

• 2 cups Whole Milk
• 2 tbsp Flour
• Nutmeg
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
• Salt & Pepper

Sandwich Ingredients

• 4 slices 1/2” thick Peasant Bread
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere Cheese (or use Fontina)
• 4 Eggs
• 8 slices mild cooked Ham (or use Prosciutto)
• Butter

Rachael Ray: French Onion Croque Madame Recipe Directions

1. Preheat the oven at 375 F.
2. Heat a skillet on medium low and let the butter foam.
3. Add onions with bay, thyme, salt and pepper. Let onions caramelize for about half an hour.
4. Deglaze onions using sherry. Pour in stock and reduce to a few spoonfuls. Keep warm.
5. Warm up the milk in a saucepot. Separately, melt butter on medium or medium high.
6. Whisk flour into the butter and cook about a minute. Pour in the warm milk.
7. Bring to bubbling. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Let thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Take off heat and add Dijon mustard.
8. Assemble sandwiches on a baking sheet. Top bread slices with onions, ham, sauce, and cheese.
9. Bake until browned. Cheese should bubble.
10. Cook the eggs in any style you like and place them on top of the sandwiches for serving.