Super-Luxe Croque Monsieur (French-style grilled cheese

• Meat

  • 8 slices Ham, good-quality

• Produce

  • 1 tbsp Chives
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • 1 tbsp Parsley
  • 1/2 tsp Thyme

• Condiments

  • 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• Baking & Spices

  • 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
  • 1 Salt and freshly ground pepper

• Bread & Baked Goods

  • 8 slices Sourdough or rustic country bread

• Dairy

  • 2 tbsp Butter, unsalted
  • 1 1/2 cups Gruyere
  • 1 1/4 cups Whole milk

Found on today.com

Directions

• Preparation Grace Parisi / TODAY 1. Preheat the oven to 425° and line a baking sheet with parchment. Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat until golden, about 3 minutes. Discard the garlic and whisk in the flour. Cook over moderate heat until nutty and golden, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook, stirring, until very thick and bubbling, about 5 minutes. It should be as thick as pudding. Grace Parisi / TODAY 2. Transfer to a bowl, stir in the mustard and herbs and season with salt and pepper. Grace Parisi / TODAY 3. Spread the béchamel onto each slice of bread, being sure to cover it completely. Place the ham on 4 slices and sprinkle with half of the cheese. Grace Parisi / TODAY 4. Place the remaining bread on top with the béchamel side out and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Grace Parisi / TODAY 5. Bake in the center of the oven until the tops are golden and bubbling and the bottoms are toasted, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve right away. Grace Parisi is a New York City-based food writer, cookbook author and food stylist. Her book, Get Saucy, was nominated for a James Beard award. Her latest book, Quick Pickles comes out in Spring 2016. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.