Ingredients (for 4 Croque-Monsieurs):
- 8 slices of sandwich bread
- 4 slices of ham
- 150g of bacon bits
- 200g of grated cheese (Emmental or mozzarella)
- 8 slices of goat cheese (or Camembert, depending on your preference)
- 100g of thick crème fraîche
- 20g of butter (optional, for buttering the bread)
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Croque-Monsieurs:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Spread a thin layer of crème fraîche on each slice of bread. For extra crispiness, you can also lightly butter the bread.
- Place a slice of ham on four of the bread slices.
2. Adding the Bacon and Cheese:
- In a pan, lightly fry the bacon bits until they are golden. Drain them to remove excess fat.
- Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the ham.
- Add a generous handful of grated cheese on top.
3. Assembling and Adding the Goat Cheese:
- Close each sandwich with another slice of bread.
- Spread another thin layer of crème fraîche on top of each croque-monsieur, then sprinkle more grated cheese.
- Place a slice of goat cheese (or Camembert) in the center of each sandwich.
4. Baking:
- Place the croque-monsieurs in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
5. Finishing Touch:
- Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
Tip:
For a lighter version, replace the crème fraîche with homemade béchamel sauce or a mixture of fromage blanc and mustard for extra flavor without too much fat.