Irish Croque-Monsieur

Irish Croque-Monsieur Recipe

Ingredients (make 4 croque-monsieurs)

8 slices of bread*

butter (optional)**

4 slices Irish baked ham

100g grated Coolea cheese***

100g grated Glebe Brethan****

150g Irish cream

pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 220ºC (200ºC fan).

Place four slices of bread on a baking tray. Butter them lightly (this is optional, the recipe is as delicious without butter) and put a slice of ham on top of each. Close the sandwiches with the remaining slices of bread.

2. Put the grated cheeses and cream in a small salad bowl and stir well. Season to your taste with pepper. Divide in four and spread each portion on top of the sandwiches.

Place the tray on the top shelf of the oven and cook for 12 to 14 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.

I usually eat a croque-monsieur on its own but for a light dinner, it is also lovely accompanied with a small portion of seasonal vegetables or a salad. 

* I opted for a delicious loaf of Irish white farmhouse bread. Try to aim for a soft type of bread.

** I chose a lovely salted Irish creamery butter. I took it out of the fridge an hour before use to make it easier to spread on the soft slices of bread.

*** This type of cheese is similar to Comté or Gouda, it has a sweet and nutty flavour.

**** Glebe Brethan is a gruyere-type cheese: fruity and creamy, and added nutty flavours as it ages. 

Wherever you are in the world, I understand it might not be easy to put your hands on all the exact Irish ingredients but you could try and make your own by choosing local ingredients. For the cheeses, aim for two kinds that can be grated, compliment each other well and will melt easily when cooked.

Bon appétit!