Stuffed potatoes: A winter twist on the classic croque monsieur
Stuffed potatoes in the croque monsieur style are the perfect dish for winter evenings. The recipe by Tiffany Siyaty, a French culinary TikToker, combines favourite ingredients in a delicious form.
When the temperature outside drops, warm and comforting dishes are worth their weight in gold. However, you don’t have to cook a huge pot of soup or simmer meat for a stew. Reach for ordinary potatoes, which in this recipe turn into an exceptional dish.
Croque monsieur baked potatoes
Croque monsieur is a classic French baked sandwich with ham and cheese, covered with béchamel sauce, often served for breakfast and lunch. The name comes from the word "croquer", which means "to crunch" or "to bite", and "monsieur", which means "mister". So it literally means "crunchy mister".
The sandwich quickly found its place in French restaurants, delighting taste buds among tourists as well.
In this recipe, the iconic sandwich became an inspiration to make delicious baked potatoes. This variation will appeal to all household members. It works great for lunch or a warm dinner.
It is best to choose large, elongated potatoes to stuff them with ham and cheese easily. You can use other types of cheese here, such as cheddar or gouda.
Ingredients:
- 2 large potatoes,
- butter,
- ham slices,
- grated mozzarella.
Béchamel sauce:
- a piece of butter,
- 2 tablespoons of flour,
- approximately 240 ml of milk,
- a pinch of nutmeg,
- salt.
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Prick the potatoes with a fork, wrap in parchment paper, and bake for about 1 hour. Baking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter, add the flour, and stir until a light roux forms.
- Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Cook on low heat until the sauce thickens. Season with nutmeg and salt.
- Carefully cut the baked potatoes with a knife, add butter and ham slices.
- Generously pour with béchamel sauce and sprinkle with grated mozzarella.
- Place in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts and browns.
Stuffed potatoes in the croque monsieur style are an excellent way to combine traditional flavours with a modern approach to cooking. Thanks to the simplicity of preparation and the availability of ingredients, this recipe will undoubtedly become a hit in many homes.
