Description
A delicious French-style baguette gratinée layered with ham, creamy Dijon mustard sauce, and plenty of melted Gruyère cheese, baked until bubbling, golden, and slightly crispy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large fresh French baguette
- 3 tbsp crème fraîche or thick béchamel sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, lightly crushed (for rubbing the bread)
- 6 slices high-quality cooked ham (Jambon de Paris or Black Forest)
- 1 ½ cups (150g) Gruyère, Comté, or Emmental cheese, freshly grated
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Baguette: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the baguette in half horizontally. Lightly rub the cut sides of the bread with the crushed garlic clove for a subtle, aromatic background flavor.
- Apply the Moisture Barrier: In a small bowl, mix the crème fraîche (or béchamel) with the Dijon mustard and a pinch of black pepper. Spread this mixture evenly edge-to-edge over both halves of the baguette. This ensures the bread stays moist inside and doesn’t dry out in the oven.
- Layer the Ham and Cheese: Tear or fold the slices of ham to fit the width of the bread, layering them generously over the cream base. Top evenly with the grated Gruyère cheese, making sure to cover the ham completely so the meat doesn’t dry out or burn under the heat.
- Bake and Gratinate: Place the prepared baguettes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, then switch the oven to the broiler (grill) setting for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is bubbling, golden brown, and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest for 2 minutes to allow the molten cheese to settle. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For the best result, use a fresh French baguette and freshly grated cheese. Keep a close eye on the baguette while broiling so the cheese becomes golden and crispy without burning.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg