This sizzling ham and cheese sandwich is better known in France as Croque Monsieur
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
¾ cup milk
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dry mustard
8 ounces sliced swiss cheese
4 ounces thinly sliced boiled ham
8 slices day old white or rye bread
3 or 4 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives or green onion top
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. In a shallow dish or pie plate, beat eggs well. Stir in the dry mustard and milk until well blended
Put half of the cheese slices on four slices bread, cutting the cheese to fit if necessary. Garnish the cheese slices with ham slices and the remaining cheese, and cover with the remaining bread. Carefully dip each sandwich in the egg mixture; using a spatula, turn the sandwich over to soak both slices of bread.
In a skillet or griddle, melt 1 tablespoon butter over moderately low heat. Cook the sandwiches two at a time, turning once, until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes each side. Add more butter as needed. Keep the cooked sandwiches warm in the oven while cooking the remaining sandwiches.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, chives and paprika. Top the sandwiches with a spoonful of the mayonnaise mixture.
Cuisine Writer
SUMMER CHEF
