Makes 2 sandwiches

Simple Béchamel Sauce:

• 1/2c. milk (whole or skim work fine)
• 1T. butter
• 1T. flour
• 1tsp. Dijon mustard
• good pinch of nutmeg
• salt and ground pepper
• about 1/4c. shredded Gruyere (I used parmesan, something with a good flavor. Swiss would work)

Sandwich:

• 4 slices French bread
• 1T. butter, softened
• Dijon mustard
• 4 slices Gruyere or some other strong cheese. I used white cheddar, Swiss is good too.
• Ham
• 2 eggs

Directions: For the sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until it turns into a paste. Add in the mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper and gradually stir in the milk. Whisk until everything is combined and the sauce thickens. Should only take a few minutes. Remove from heat and add in the cheese. Stir until melted and set aside.

Make the sandwiches: Butter one side of each slice of bread and thinly spread the mustard on the other side of each slice. Layer 2 slices of bread each with 1 piece of cheese, ham, another piece of cheese, then top with the other slice.

Melt the butter in a frying pan or heat up a panini press. Cook the sandwiches as you would a grilled cheese. Transfer them to a baking pan and top each with the sauce. Place under the broiler for a few minutes until crisp and bubbly. While they’re broiling, fry a couple eggs in the hot pan you used to cook your sandwiches.

Remove sandwiches and top each with a fried egg. Serve with simple greens and balsamic or fruit and a nice red wine or Orangina. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.