Maximus wood-fired croque-monsieur

A staple on bistro and brasserie menus, the croque-monsieur is a sure thing, a crowd-pleaser. Let's make it in the Maximus wood-fired oven , the perfect partner for quick and delicious recipes.

THE RECIPE IN VIDEO

INGREDIENTS

• For the Mornay sauce
• 500g whole milk
• 40g butter
• 40g flour
• A hint of cumin
• 1 egg
• For assembly
• 8 slices of white bread
• 200g of grated Comté or Gruyère cheese
• 4 slices of cooked ham
• 2 eggs (for a variation)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start by lighting your Maximus wood-fired oven. By the time you've prepared the recipe, it will be at the right temperature.
2. Preparing Mornay sauce (some, like our chef, call it Mornaise sauce, but the result is the same!)
3. Melt the butter over low heat
4. Add the flour and leave on low heat, continuing to whisk until the mixture browns slightly.
5. Add the milk little by little to avoid lumps. Chef's tip: to save a little cooking time, you can warm the milk slightly before adding it to your béchamel sauce.
6. Cook over low heat until you obtain a smooth and creamy mixture.
7. Add the cumin and the egg, then mix.
8. Finally, incorporate some of the grated cheese intended for assembly.
9. Assembling the croque-messieurs
10. Place 4 slices of bread on a baking sheet and spread them with a generous layer of Mornay sauce.
11. Place the ham so that it completely covers the slices of bread.
12. Add the grated cheese, making sure to keep some cheese aside.
13. Spread the remaining 4 slices of sauce, in a thinner layer than for the bases, and place them on top of the grated cheese, sauce side up.
14. Spread the remaining grated cheese on top. This will give you slightly browned croque-messieurs.
15. Variation: To make a croque-madame, gently press down in the center of the croque-monsieur with a spatula and crack an egg into the hole. Only do this if you like a runny egg, as it won't cook completely during baking!
16. Place on a baking tray in your Maximus oven at a temperature of approximately 250°C, without flames.
17. Let it cook for about 15 minutes.
18. Serve straight from the oven, accompanied by a nice green or mixed salad. This makes for an easy, nourishing, and delicious meal, perfect for a relaxed dinner. Enjoy!
    Want to mix things up? Add thin slices of goat cheese or Bleu d'Auvergne, replace the ham with smoked salmon or bacon. You can also add mushrooms or walnut pieces to the sauce… In short, you can be creative with a croque-monsieur, so don't hesitate, have fun!

To take your culinary experience to a new level, discover the essential accessories for your MAXIMUS and MAXIMUS PRIME wood-fired oven:

• MAXIMUS Accessories