Croque-monsieur gourmand

For 4 pieces, you will need:

1 8 slices bread
2 40 g butter
3 3 leeks
4 1 shallot
5 3 tablespoons olive oil
6 150 ml cream
7 4 slices smoked ham
8 250 g cooked potato
9 4 tablespoons olive oil
Total weight: 1,750 grams

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Measures:

How long does it take?

Time required

Preparation	Cooking	Start to finish
24 min.	47 min.	1 hour 11 min.

Keeping:

Best eaten immediately, but can be reheated.

At what time?

When will I finish if I start the recipe at a certain time?
When should I start for the recipe to be ready at a certain time?

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Step by step recipe

Stage 1 - 3 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #1

Prepare the bread

Prepare 8 slices bread. If you are using a sandwich-type loaf or long French-style bread stick, leave the slices whole. If using a larger loaf, cut the slices in half (like in the photos).

Stage 2 - 3 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #2

Melt 40 g butter, then use a brush to coat one side of the bread with melted butter.

Arrange the slices on a baking sheet, buttered side downwards.

Stage 3 - 10 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #3

Prepare the creamed leeks

Prepare 3 leeks and chop finely.

Stage 4 - 2 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #4

Prepare 1 shallot and chop finely.

Pour 3 tablespoons olive oil into a large frying pan and when really hot, add the chopped shallot, salt and pepper.

Cook for 1 minute without colouring.

Stage 5 - 3 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #5

Add the chopped leeks, salt and pepper again and mix well.

Cook for 1 or 2 minutes covered...

Stage 6 - 7 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #6

...then add 150 ml cream and leave uncovered on low heat to reduce.

Stage 7

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #7

You should end up with a creamy leek "fondue" of fairly thick consistency.

Set aside.

Stage 8 - 5 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #8

Fry the ham

Fry 4 slices smoked ham for 1 or 2 minutes on each side until nicely browned.

Set aside.

Stage 9 - 10 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #9

Fry the potatoes

Slice 250 g cooked potato into thin rounds and pan-fry on both sides in 4 tablespoons olive oil.

Stage 10 - 2 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #10

Assemble the croque-monsieurs

Preheat the oven at 390°F (200°C).

Arrange a layer of fried potatoes on half the slices of bread.

Stage 11 - 3 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #11

Top with a layer of creamed leeks.

Stage 12 - 2 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #12

Then a slice of fried ham.

Stage 13 - 1 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #13

Finish by adding a second slice of bread, buttered side outwards.

Stage 14 - 20 min.

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #14

Brown the croque-monsieurs

Cook the corque-monsieurs in the oven for about 20 minutes until the bread is nicely browned on top.

Stage 15

Croque-monsieur gourmand : Photo of step #15

Serve piping hot on its own or with a little lettuce "chiffonade".

Remarks

You can use grilled bacon or fried lardons instead of the ham, if you prefer.

Nutritional information

% are calculated relative to a Recommended Dietary Intake or RDI of 2000 k-calories or 8400 k-joules by day for a woman (change to a man).

How much will it cost?

For 4 pieces : 14.29 €
Per piece : 3.57 €

Note : These prices are only approximate

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	Cooked potato: You can check-out other recipes which use it, like for example: Green Piedmont Salad, Potato galette, Salmon marinated like herring, Potatoes with smoked salmon, Eggs Comtoise, ... All
	Cream: You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Celeriac and mushroom gratin, Mushroom Pancakes au Gratin, Eggs Arsène, Caesar salad, Curried prawn risotto, ... All
	Butter: You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Cod loin with saffron, Green beans with tomatoes, Sauce Normande (for fish), Celeriac and mushroom gratin, Eggs Benedict , ... All
	Bread: You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Eggs meurette, Warm autumn salad, Warm haricot bean salad, Baked leek and Camembert slices, Spinach on toast with bechamel, ... All

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