The croque-monsieur You & Milk version: simple, delicious, and family-friendly

Hey Mamas & Daddies head chefs! 👋 Today, we're taking you to the kitchen for a 100% comfort and sharing moment. Our mission? To make THE perfect croque-monsieur, the one that lights up the kids' eyes and delights the grown-ups! 😋

You know those moments when you're looking for a fun activity to do with your kids that's both playful AND delicious? Croque-monsieur is the perfect recipe! Easy to make, it allows little hands to participate safely, and the result is always a success. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

At You & Milk, we love these special moments. Between the melting cheese and the bread browning, it's a whole show happening in your kitchen! So, let's put on our apron and dive into this delicious adventure? 🧀✨

The ingredients of our signature croque-monsieur 🧀

Before starting our family cooking workshop, let's take inventory of our delicious treasures! For 4 people (or 2 very hungry adults and 2 little ones 😉), here is the list of our star ingredients:

• 8 slices of soft sandwich bread (we favor quality bread, it's the base!)
• 4 slices of white ham (preferably organic)
• 200g of grated cheese (comté for gourmets, emmental for purists)
• 50g of unsalted butter (at room temperature, easier to spread for little ones)
• Béchamel sauce (recipe a bit further down)

And for the magical touch that makes the difference:

• A pinch of nutmeg (grandma's secret for a perfect croque!)
• A twist of the pepper mill
• A pinch of salt (depending on your ham)

Mama's pro tip: Take out your ingredients 15 minutes before starting, it's always easier to work with ingredients at room temperature! And if you're pregnant, don't forget, in addition to your apron, to wear your most beautiful maternity dress for a super comfortable cooking workshop! ✨

Let's get started with the family cooking workshop! 👩‍🍳

Step 1: The buttering mission 🧈

Entrust the little chefs with the "buttering" mission! Equipped with a blunt knife, they can gently spread butter on each slice of bread. It's like painting, but in a tasty version! Don't forget to praise their precision - even if some slices are a bit more "generously" buttered than others. 😉

Step 2: The cheese operation 🧀

Turn your kids into real cheese chefs! Show them how to sprinkle grated cheese evenly - not too much, not too little, just right for a perfect croque-monsieur. It's a great fine motor skills exercise, and they love seeing the cheese "snow" on the bread!

Assembly: like a building game! 🎯

1. On your buttered base, place a nice layer of grated cheese
2. Add the ham folded in half (like a little fluffy pillow!)
3. Close the sandwich with another slice (buttered side facing inward)
4. Prepare the béchamel sauce in two simple steps:
   • Melt 20g of butter in the microwave (1 min)
   • Bring 25cl of milk to a boil
   • Pour the hot milk over the flour/butter mixture while whisking
   • Season with salt and pepper
   • Microwave for 1 more minute
5. Spread the béchamel sauce on top and generously sprinkle with grated cheese

The final magic: when the croque turns to gold! ✨

Preheat your oven to 180°C. 🪄 Meanwhile, share our You & Milk secret 🤫 with your children: Quickly toast the bread slices before assembling. This trick will make your croques even crispier! Bake your creations for 10-15 minutes.

It's the perfect time to play apprentice supervisors with your little ones: Watch the magic happen together through the oven window (safely, of course!). See the cheese slowly melting, the crust turning golden... It's a real show! 👀 The perfect timing? When the cheese starts to form little golden bubbles and your croques take on a beautiful amber color. 🏆

Don't forget: these moments in the kitchen are so much more than just a recipe. It's a chance to create delicious memories, learn while having fun, and share a special time with family. So savor every moment, from preparation to tasting! 🥰