Croque Madame

1. 1. Set an oven rack approximately 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler.

   2. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and stir until it begins to take on a slight brown color, approximately three minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously, and bring the mixture to a boil. As soon as it reaches a boil, reduce the heat immediately and let it simmer for five minutes. Introduce salt, pepper, nutmeg, and half of the Gruyère cheese; cook for an additional two minutes or until the cheese has melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside.

   3. Spread approximately 1 teaspoon of butter on each of two pieces of bread. Layer a slice of ham on top of each buttered slice and generously spread 1 tablespoon of the luscious cheese sauce. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of butter over the remaining two slices of bread, then apply a touch of Dijon mustard and sprinkle the rest of the Gruyère. Arrange all four pieces on a baking sheet, setting the stage for our culinary masterpiece.

   4.  

      Broil in the preheated oven for two to three minutes, or until the cheese is almost melted to perfection. Remove from the oven, delicately stack the toast slices to create two heavenly sandwiches, and generously crown each with the remaining cheese sauce. Return this culinary masterpiece under the broiler and let it dance in the heat for about two minutes, allowing the sauce to achieve a tantalizing finish.

   5. Broil in the preheated oven for two to three minutes, or just until the cheese reaches a heavenly melt. Remove from the oven, artfully stack the toast slices to craft two delightful sandwiches, and generously crown each with the remaining cheese sauce. Return the adorned sandwiches under the broiler, letting them luxuriate in the warmth for about two minutes until the sauce achieves a delectable finish.

Place an egg on top of each sandwich and, if desired, garnish with dill. Serve immediately.