This Croque Monsieur is no ordinary ham and cheese sandwich. Leave it to the French to make something ordinary into something extra special. The first time I tried this classic French sandwich (and the first time I experienced the pure joy of Gruyère cheese) was during a trip to Paris with my two girls. Let's just say we loved it so much that we ordered it again… and again, and again, until we went home. We have no regrets. It's that good.

Meant to be served as a quick snack, the croque monsieur sandwich originated in French cafés and bars. The sandwich’s name comes from the French words croque (bite) and monsieur (mister). For those of you wondering if there is a female version, why yes, there is! A croque madame is the same preparation with one addition: a fried egg on top. The egg is a nod to the once-popular wide-brimmed hats that French women used to wear. This decadent treat is on almost every restaurant menu in Paris. Why not have it on your menu too? My recipe doesn’t deviate too much from the classic version. Why tinker with perfection? But we’ll get to that in a minute.

In this version, between two generous slices of country-style bread, you’ll find Gruyère cheese, smoked ham, and bèchamel sauce. What really sets this sandwich apart is decadent, cheesy bèchamel sauce slathered on top of the bread. This delicious sauce is a simple white sauce made with butter, flour, and milk. If you love and crave grilled cheese, this is grilled cheese leveled up.

To make the perfect croque monsieur, you just toast it in the oven. Serve it up with a green salad and you’ll get a taste of Paris without  leaving your house. I’ve been known to use my kitchen torch to make sure that cheese on top is browned and extra gooey. By the way, make sure you choose a good quality smoked ham for this recipe!