Brandom Health Store

Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
A warm and flaky ham and cheese croissant is an elegant sandwich that can make you feel like you've been transported to a French bistro. With only four ingredients, it is important to make each component the highest quality. This is the time to invest in the best sliced ham and cheese available at your deli counter, as well as a nice jar of Dijon mustard. If you really want to get fancy, you can even make your own homemade croissants.

If you don't have the time, you can always pick up some fresh croissants at your favorite bakery. It's worth splurging for bakery-made croissants over the ones in bags at the grocery—fresh croissants are wonderfully buttery and flaky, and make this sandwich really shine.
Ingredients
4 large croissants
4 teaspoons dijon mustard
8 slices swiss cheese
8 slices thinly-sliced deli ham
Steps to Make It
1 Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2 Slice the croissants in half lengthwise and place on a baking sheet.
3 Spread a thin layer of mustard on each cut slice.
4 Place one piece of Swiss cheese down on the bottom slices of the croissants. The slices may need to be torn in half to cover the surface of the croissant while avoiding the hole in the center.
5 Top each croissant with two slices of the deli ham.
6 Top with the remaining cheese slices, once again, torn if necessary.
7 Place the croissant tops on top. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melty and the croissants are warm and toasted.
8 Enjoy immediately, fresh and warm from the oven.

Croque Madame Recipe
The croque madame sandwich is a variation on the famous croque monsieur. The croque madame is similar to the croque monsieur in almost every way. Both include ham, béchamel, and Gruyère cheese, but the croque madame is topped off with a fried egg "hat." The runny egg yolk adds a rich sauce to this substantial sandwich.

The toasted bread provides texture, while the cheese, ham, and egg add substance and flavor. It's a hot sandwich that makes any occasion extra special. Serve a croque madame for breakfast or brunch, or make them for dinner and serve with a salad on the side.

It's essential to read the recipe carefully and have all your ingredients, pans, and utensils ready. It's a fast and easy preparation, but several cooking steps make timing important.
Ingredients
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
1 dash freshly grated nutmeg
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
6 ounces sliced or grated Gruyere cheese, divided
4 slices bread
2 to 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard, optional
3 to 4 ounces thinly sliced ham
2 large eggs
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Steps to Make It
1 Gather the ingredients.
2 Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour to the butter and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3 Add the milk , 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a dash of nutmeg and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, until thickened.
4 Stir in the Parmesan cheese and half of the Gruyere cheese.
5 Arrange two slices of bread on a baking sheet and spread with Dijon mustard, if desired. Divide the ham on top of the two slices of bread.
6 Spread a bit of the thick cheese sauce over the ham, top with the remaining gruyere and another slice of bread.
7 Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Brush the tops of the sandwiches with some of the melted butter.
8 Place the sandwiches in the hot skillet, buttered side down and brush more butter over the tops. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
9 Remove the sandwiches to the baking sheet and spread the remaining cheese sauce over the tops. Be sure to coat the edges to prevent the bread from burning.
10 Position a rack in the top third of the oven. Turn the oven to broil. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crack each egg into a ramekin then add them slowly to the skillet.
11 Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. While the eggs are cooking, place the sandwiches under the broiler and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and beginning to brown.
12 Remove the sandwiches to plates and top each with a fried egg. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and serve immediately.