Croque Monsieur

If anyone has seen the movie “It’s Complicated” then you know this dish was the one Meryl Streep made for Steve Martin and OMG didn’t that look good!

I love that movie! If you haven’t seen it, it’s a must see… super funny! And her kitchen is a dream 🙂

So if you haven’t seen the movie this dish isn’t just from the movie its a very popular french dish… Croque Monsieur.

Traditionally this is made with nice crusty french bread, dijon mustard, a bechamel sauce ( a very rich cheese sauce), and some black forest ham- its definitely one of those home-y feel good kinda meals.

Now let me just say the traditional way is absolutely the way to go… so rich and just an overall super comforting meal!

But if you’re looking to lighten it up and bit and maybe enjoy a bit more often then this recipe is just perfect…

This lightened up Croque Monsieur has all the flavors of the traditional dish with a few healthy swaps still leaving it cheesy, decadent and everything you could ever want.

Croque Monsieur Ingredients:

4 slices of bread ( I used a GF bread, about 190 calories per slice)
8 slices of canadian bacon
2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp of dijon Mustard
2 oz. gruyere cheese, thinly sliced
2 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
2 oz. parmesan cheese, shredded
salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Take 4 slices of bread and place onto a non-stick foil lined baking sheet.
3. Place into the oven for about 5-7 minutes, flipping half way through to lightly toast the bread.
4. Once the bread is lightly toasted remove from oven.
5. Take 2 tsp of dijon for each slice of bread and spread evenly on-top.
6. Then layer 2 slices of canadian bacon for each slice and layer that evenly on-top of that, repeat to remaining bread slices.
7. Then for each slice take 1/2 oz. of cheddar, 1/2 oz. of parmesan, and 1/2 oz. of sliced gruyere, layering evenly in that order. Repeat on remaining bread slices.
8. Sprinkle tops with salt and pepper and place back into the oven for 5 minutes.
9. After the 5 minutes, turn oven onto broil and let go for an additional 3 minutes, keeping eye on it so it doesn’t burn but is slightly crisp and golden in color.
10. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
11. Pairs great with a fresh mixed green salad and a glass of wine… just saying 🙂

Nutritional Information:

servings: 4
serving Size: 1 croque monsieur (1 slice of bread, 1.5 oz. cheese mix, 2 slices canadian bacon)*

calories: 415
fat: 16 g
carbohydrates: 23 g
fiber: 2 g
sugar: 4 g
sodium: 1125 mg (w/o added salt)
protein: 27 g

* My recipe includes 1 slice of Gluten Free bread at 190 calories, so just account for that if you use different bread just subtract 190 calories from this and add in your choice of bread.