Sometimes you just need an idea for a yummy meal and this one of eggs over black forest ham and gruyere cheese is high on my list. Not only is it simple but also the flavors are spectacular and when you add the egg on top, it becomes a “version” of a Croque Madam done in 10 minutes without the béchamel sauce. Can you beat that? No.
We often have this dish of on Sunday mornings, especially come summertime when we can sit outside, watch the birds in the feeder, see the hummingbirds dance around in the air, and gaze at our garden; it makes for an awesome way to start the day.
I do find the key to this is to find your favorite artisanal bread (mine is an onion loaf from a French bakery), GREAT black forest ham from a deli, and delicious gruyere cheese from a local cheese monger and then you don’t have to worry about the béchamel unless you can’t live without it. This version of eggs over black forest ham and gruyere cheese gives you an excuse to not have to add on another 20 minutes to make the sauce which leaves more time to indulge wherever you heart takes you!
- 4 slices of artisanal bread of your choice (I enjoy an onion loaf with this)
- 1 lb of good black forest ham
- ½ lb gruyere cheese, grated
- Good dijon mustard
- 4 farm fresh eggs
- Tarragon for garnish or broken over top of eggs
- Toast Bread
- Grate Cheese
- Turn on broiler on low
- Assemble:
- Put mustard on each slice and bread and then black forest ham and top with gruyere cheese
- Put under broiler until melted, remove
- In saute pan on stove, turn on medium and melt a little butter
- Cook eggs, sunny side up and season with salt and pepper
- Carefully place an egg on each piece of assembled bread and decorate or garnish with tarragon or herb of choice and serve with dijon, if desired
