I discovered the croque monsieur a while ago and I have been enjoying them ever since. A croque monsieur is basically a glorified grilled ham and cheese sandwich covered with bechamel sauce and melted golden brown cheese. More recently I came across the concept of a croque hawaii or a croque monsieur with the addition of a slice of pineapple which sounded good. Now that I had some nice quality ham on hand was the perfect time to try it. The croque hawaii was pretty easy to make and it turned out great! The ham and pineapple combo is a classic one for a reason and it really worked well in this sandwich. A bechamel sauce is so simple and yet when it is infused with cheese it is so good. The cheesy bechamel sauce smothering this sandwich sends it way over the top, though it also makes it a bit messier to eat and using a knife and fork is recommended.
Croque Hawaii
ingredients
- 2 slices bread (lightly toasted)
- 1/4 cup bechamel sauce
- 1 thick slice of ham
- 1 slice pineapple
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
- 1/2 cup gruyère (grated)
- dijon mustard
- butter
directions
- Melt half of the gruyère and all of the parmigiano reggiano into the bechamel sauce.
- Spread Dijon mustard on one slice of bread.
- Add the ham, pineapple and about half of the remaining gruyère cheese. Top with the other toasted bread slice.
- Butter both sides of the sandwich and grill until golden brown on both sides.
- Spoon the béchamel sauce onto the top of the sandwich.
- Sprinkle with the remaining gruyère cheese.
- Broil until golden brown and bubbling on top, just a few minutes.
Julia says
February 10, 2009 at 12:19 pmoooh, I love it! Like Hawai’ian pizza, only easier.
Christelle says
February 10, 2009 at 12:21 pmHi Kevin,
I wanted to mention, in Britain, these are called toasties, and croque monsieur is indeed a type of toastie. But it’s down to Ingredients (also it is supposed to be cooked in the oven, it is prepared differently for the toastie machine..): I can never get a croque Monsieur in Britain, the basic ingredients (bread, ham and cheese, and even white sauce!!) don’t taste the same and then it tastes like a toastie, and not like a croque monsieur… So I do miss croque monsieurs!
In Britain,also, for those who don’t have a toastie machine, they sell in shops toastie pockets, little teflon pockets where you put the uncooked toastie, and place in the toaster! not quite as good, but rather clever 🙂
Ah yes another thing, in France, there are variants of the croque monsieur, and you’ll find the croque madame too! :), also, when served with an egg on top, it bears the mention: “oeuf a cheval”
And yes I love toasties!
mycookinghut says
February 10, 2009 at 1:07 pmLooks yummy! I love croque monsieur and I am sure I will love this!
I agree with Christelle, in Britian… the ingredients… are just disappointing…nothing compared top La France!
Joanne says
February 10, 2009 at 2:05 pmSandwiches are one of my many food addictions so this looks right up my alley!
Happy cook says
February 10, 2009 at 2:30 pmYeah croque monsieur is a famous thing here in belgium.
Everybody makes it here or if you want to have a fast snack in the pub this is what most of them choose.
Yours croque hawai looks so yummy.
Ciao Chow Linda says
February 10, 2009 at 2:37 pmYour croque hawaii does look tempting, but aren’t you tired of eating ham by now?
Dana McCauley says
February 10, 2009 at 2:41 pmFun idea – but, like others have pointed out- how much ham can one dude consume?
VeggieGirl says
February 10, 2009 at 2:46 pmDefinitely a classic!!
Lisa says
February 10, 2009 at 2:57 pmThis sounds great. You can beat more melted cheese on top of a sandwich.
pigpigscorner says
February 10, 2009 at 2:57 pmThis sounds really good! I love ham and pineapple…yum yum.
lisaiscooking says
February 10, 2009 at 3:05 pmThat’s such a great idea. I’d never heard of a croque hawaii, but it makes perfect sense!
Sharon says
February 10, 2009 at 3:18 pmWow, looks amazing Kevin!
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says
February 10, 2009 at 3:35 pmThis looks wonderful and will be fun to make on the new panini machine that we just got!!
Paula says
February 10, 2009 at 3:44 pmI’ve heard of a croque monsieur, but have not had one. Would love to try the Hawaii version! I like this has mustard in it; I bet it brings a lot to the ham and pineapple party!
Elra says
February 10, 2009 at 3:51 pmI love them both Kevin, croque monsier and croque madame. Now, croque Hawaii is absolutely new invention, no? Sounds so delicious.
Cheers,
Elra
Pam says
February 10, 2009 at 3:59 pmOh my. What a rich and decadent sandwich. Looks so tasty Kevin.
Rita says
February 10, 2009 at 4:28 pmI never heard of croque hawaii before, I love to discover new foods! Thanks for sharing with us!
Bridgett says
February 10, 2009 at 4:35 pmMy hubby would love this with the pineapple!
Food For Tots says
February 10, 2009 at 4:55 pmA perfect sandwich for breakfast! I dun mind messing up my hands. It is finger lickin’ good!
Sylvie says
February 10, 2009 at 5:17 pmI’ve had Toast Hawaii, but never Croque Hawai. It sounds good and I think I’d happily have it as a lazy midweek dinner.
ttfn300 says
February 10, 2009 at 5:40 pmoh my my, i’d love to have this for lunch today 🙂
[eatingclub] vancouver || js says
February 10, 2009 at 6:01 pmI love the idea of a croque hawaii!
Jennifer says
February 10, 2009 at 6:24 pmVery interesting! It looks really good! Thanks for sharing Kevin!
Katrina says
February 10, 2009 at 6:50 pmI had a croque monsieurs in NYC and it was SO good, love the Hawaiian twist–sounds even better!
Manggy says
February 10, 2009 at 7:07 pmFANTASTIC! I should really try this one of these days… So easy and so good! (I’m a huge pineapple lover 😉 Ham more so!
Anonymous says
February 10, 2009 at 7:39 pmThe croque madame is hands down our fave. Gotta make this a girlie Hawaiian version with the fried egg!
Colleen says
February 10, 2009 at 7:59 pmOOh the outside of that bread looks FANTASTIC.
Cheryl says
February 10, 2009 at 8:24 pmWow I wish I was eating that and not what I am having for lunch!
Donna-FFW says
February 10, 2009 at 8:53 pmMy goodness, does this ever look delicious. Love the flavors you chose, yet again!
kimberleyblue says
February 10, 2009 at 9:06 pmi love croqie monsieurs, but this sounds 10x better! i was drooling while i read it – sounds and looks amazing.
Beth says
February 10, 2009 at 9:23 pmI love toasties – yum.
Marjie says
February 10, 2009 at 10:04 pmNow that’s what I call a great looking sandwich!
Sara says
February 10, 2009 at 10:23 pmDang that sounds good!
Helene says
February 10, 2009 at 10:31 pmHi never heard of it but I’m a fan of croque monsieur so I would love this version.
Maria says
February 10, 2009 at 11:02 pmNice and thick!! What a great sandwich! I bet the pineapple is so good on there!
Andrea says
February 11, 2009 at 12:08 amEverytime I see what you’ve made, I think “I want that!” Looks delicious!
Fake Ginger says
February 11, 2009 at 12:26 amOh man, look at that thick ham! It looks delicious!
New Reciepe says
February 11, 2009 at 1:31 amI have never had this dish before, but it sure looks good.
Sharon says
February 11, 2009 at 1:57 amNow that’s a sandwich!
Mochachocolata Rita says
February 11, 2009 at 2:08 amWow, loving this, kev! I am too lazy to make my own bechamel, so normally I just get croque monsieur from delifrance. :p
MaryBeth says
February 11, 2009 at 4:20 amWOW…this looks fantastic
Jude says
February 11, 2009 at 4:23 amSounds great… I’m also a big fan of the croque sandwiches.
PaniniKathy says
February 11, 2009 at 5:43 amWhat a great idea! Ham and pineapple go so well together. Love the croque Hawaii twist.
James says
February 11, 2009 at 1:27 pmWhat a great idea – you’re the king of sandwich hill!
Sara says
February 11, 2009 at 2:13 pmWhat a great idea! I love ham and pineapple pizza, so I’m sure I’d love this sandwich too.
Grace says
February 11, 2009 at 2:43 pmkeep the other croques–i’ll take this one! i love ham and pineapple and mustard–great creation!
EAT! says
February 11, 2009 at 3:42 pmSo glad you didn’t use Spam in your sandwich. Just read an article on how much Spam is used in Hawaiian cooking and don’t think I can use it.
lisa (dandysugar) says
February 11, 2009 at 4:06 pmVery original and very enticing! I love your version of this yummy sandwich.
Jessica@Foodmayhem says
February 11, 2009 at 5:03 pmI love this concept! I happen to have some pineapple but I have to go get some ham.
Karen says
February 11, 2009 at 10:42 pmAww, Kevin… you keep coming up with these fantastic meals… simple, innovative… delightful combinations of flavors. I’m going to ask my hubby if we can adopt you. You never know… he might say yes. I’ll let you know.
diva says
February 12, 2009 at 12:39 amooooo i’m drooling pretty bad.
Brilynn says
February 12, 2009 at 12:52 amI love pineapple, this sounds awesome!
Anonymous says
February 12, 2009 at 1:05 amI always thought croque-monsieurs were ham & cheese sandwiches dunked in egg and milk, like French toast…
Kevin says
February 12, 2009 at 1:29 pmAnonymous: A monte cristo sandwich is a ham and cheese sandwich that is cooked like french toast. They are really good as well.
Peter M says
February 12, 2009 at 4:52 pmNow that’s a sandwich!
Marysol says
February 12, 2009 at 7:04 pmHam, Pineapple and Gruyere, just these three ingredients could make me very happy, and hungry.
noobcook says
February 13, 2009 at 5:43 amthe layer of melted cheese on top looks so appetizing.
Leslie says
February 16, 2009 at 1:10 ammmmm..Thats my kinda sandwich!
Jeanne says
February 16, 2009 at 11:21 pmCroque monsier was the very first French dish I fell in love with when we first went france – I was 13 years old 🙂 Love the addition of pineapple for that great sweet/savoury flavour.
Anonymous says
February 4, 2010 at 11:56 pmI think i like this WAY better than traditional… thanks again!