Croque Monsieur

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk, heated
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
• 8 slices toasted or grilled country bread, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 pound sliced baked ham, such as prosciutto cotto or jamon royale
• Pinch herbes de Provence
• Cornichons, for serving

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. 2
   Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, and slowly add hot milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and 1/2 cup Gruyere. Set bechamel sauce aside.
3. 3
   Lightly brush 4 slices bread with mustard. Divide ham evenly between bread, and sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons Gruyere. Top with 4 more slices toasted bread. Slather tops with the bechamel sauce, and sprinkle with remaining Gruyere and herbes de Provence.
4. 4
   Bake sandwiches until topping is lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve hot with cornichons.