Name: Croque Madame With Cranberry-Mustard Relish
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 1/3 cup leftover cranberry sauce; 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices Pullman or other white bread; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided; 8 ounces aged white cheddar, grated (about 3 cups), divided; 8 ounces thinly sliced ham, divided; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; 4 large eggs; Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Someone holding a knife and fork cutting through a Croque Madame on a plate.

Photo by Elizabeth Cecil

You know how the cheese sometimes oozes out of a grilled cheese while it’s cooking and gets all brown and crunchy when it hits the skillet? Well, this open-face sandwich recipe is dedicated to making that happen on purpose.

Recipe information

Yield
Serves 4

Ingredients

1/3 cup leftover cranberry sauce

3 tablespoons whole grain mustard

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices Pullman or other white bread

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

8 ounces aged white cheddar, grated (about 3 cups), divided

8 ounces thinly sliced ham, divided

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

4 large eggs

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix cranberry sauce, mustard, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Spread relish over 1 side of each slice of bread.
Step 2
Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in a medium ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 1 slice of bread, plain side down, in skillet and cook until just golden on bottom side, about 2 minutes.
Step 3
Scatter 3/4 cup cheese over and slightly around bread (the cheese in contact with the pan will begin to melt immediately). Transfer skillet to oven and bake until cheese is golden brown around edges, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from oven and top bread with a few slices of ham; let sandwich cool slightly in pan 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula, carefully loosen edges of cheese and transfer sandwich to a plate. Repeat with remaining butter, bread, cheese, and ham to make 3 more sandwiches. Wipe out skillet.
Step 4
Heat oil in same skillet over medium. Crack eggs into skillet, cover, and cook until whites are just set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Top each sandwich with a fried egg; season with salt and pepper.

TagsSandwich Egg French European Cheddar Cheese Dairy Ham Meat Cranberry Berry Fruit Lunch Brunch Vegetarian Quick Easy Oven Bake Fall Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

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