Croque Monsieur Panini

By karen1

Ingredients

• 5 tbs. unsalted butter
• 2 tbs. all purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 bay leaf
• l fresh thyme sprig
• pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 6 oz. gruyere cheese, grated
• 8 slices sweet batard
• 4 tsp. dijon mustard
• 12 oz. thinly sliced ham

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat panini press according to directions.
In small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbs. butter. Add flour; cook, stirring until well combined and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk; add bay leaf, thyme sprig, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook, whisking, until mixture simmers and thickens slightly 2-3 minutes. Add 2 oz. cheese; whisk until melted. Discard bay leaf and thyme sprig. Keep mornay sauce warm.

In another small saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining 3 tbsp. butter. Brush one side each bread slice with melted butter. Turn 4 slices over; brush each with 1 tsp. mustard. Top each with 1 oz. cheese, 3 oz. ham and about 1/4 cup sauce, spreading it evenly over ham. Cover each with one of remaining bread slices, buttered side up.

Place 2 sandwiches on preheated panini press; close lid. Cook until cheese is melted and bread is toasted, about 4 minutes.