Sandwich in the Spotlight: Croque Monsieur / Madame

It is this scene in Nancy Meyer's most recent film, It's Complicated, that sent my iPhone into vibrations. My dad, having just seen the movie, called me to describe the scene in which Meryl Streep makes Steve Martin a ridiculously good looking Croque Monsieur.


Let's get something straightened out right off the bat..the difference between "Madame" and "Monsieur".

Monsieur: grilled ham & gruyere

Madame : grilled ham & gruyere with a fried or poached egg on top

Note: Fancy versions often incorporate a Béchamel Sauce as well

Origin: French (if that wasn't obvious)

Translation: "Croque" come from the verb croquer ("to crunch")

The BEST thing about this delightful sandwich?

It can be served for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, or late night snack.

You can serve it so many different ways: open-face, sandwich-style, egg, no egg, etc... You can be as traditional or untraditional as you desire.

Bon Appetit!