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Croque Hawaii

[heart_this] · Feb 10, 2009 · 60 Comments

Croque Hawaii

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

Croque Hawaii

Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Servings: 8
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
  1. Melt half of the gruyère and all of the parmigiano reggiano into the bechamel sauce.
  2. Spread Dijon mustard on one slice of bread.
  3. Add the ham, pineapple and about half of the remaining gruyère cheese. Top with the other toasted bread slice.
  4. Butter both sides of the sandwich and grill until golden brown on both sides.
  5. Spoon the béchamel sauce onto the top of the sandwich.
  6. Sprinkle with the remaining gruyère cheese.
  7. Broil until golden brown and bubbling on top, just a few minutes.
Similar Recipes:
Croque Monsieur
Croque Monsieur with Pear and Smoked Turkey
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple Sandwich
Ham and Pineapple Melts
BBQ Ham, Bacon and Pineapple Quesadillas (aka BBQ Hawaiian Pizza Quesadillas)

Food, French, Ham, Pork, Recipe, Sandwich

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julia says

    February 10, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    oooh, I love it! Like Hawai’ian pizza, only easier.

    Reply
  2. Christelle says

    February 10, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    Hi 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!

    Reply
  3. mycookinghut says

    February 10, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    Looks 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!

    Reply
  4. Joanne says

    February 10, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Sandwiches are one of my many food addictions so this looks right up my alley!

    Reply
  5. Happy cook says

    February 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    Yeah 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.

    Reply
  6. Ciao Chow Linda says

    February 10, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Your croque hawaii does look tempting, but aren’t you tired of eating ham by now?

    Reply
  7. Dana McCauley says

    February 10, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Fun idea – but, like others have pointed out- how much ham can one dude consume?

    Reply
  8. VeggieGirl says

    February 10, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Definitely a classic!!

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    February 10, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    This sounds great. You can beat more melted cheese on top of a sandwich.

    Reply
  10. pigpigscorner says

    February 10, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    This sounds really good! I love ham and pineapple…yum yum.

    Reply
  11. lisaiscooking says

    February 10, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    That’s such a great idea. I’d never heard of a croque hawaii, but it makes perfect sense!

    Reply
  12. Sharon says

    February 10, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    Wow, looks amazing Kevin!

    Reply
  13. Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says

    February 10, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    This looks wonderful and will be fun to make on the new panini machine that we just got!!

    Reply
  14. Paula says

    February 10, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    I’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!

    Reply
  15. Elra says

    February 10, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    I love them both Kevin, croque monsier and croque madame. Now, croque Hawaii is absolutely new invention, no? Sounds so delicious.
    Cheers,
    Elra

    Reply
  16. Pam says

    February 10, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Oh my. What a rich and decadent sandwich. Looks so tasty Kevin.

    Reply
  17. Rita says

    February 10, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    I never heard of croque hawaii before, I love to discover new foods! Thanks for sharing with us!

    Reply
  18. Bridgett says

    February 10, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    My hubby would love this with the pineapple!

    Reply
  19. Food For Tots says

    February 10, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    A perfect sandwich for breakfast! I dun mind messing up my hands. It is finger lickin’ good!

    Reply
  20. Sylvie says

    February 10, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    I’ve had Toast Hawaii, but never Croque Hawai. It sounds good and I think I’d happily have it as a lazy midweek dinner.

    Reply
  21. ttfn300 says

    February 10, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    oh my my, i’d love to have this for lunch today 🙂

    Reply
  22. [eatingclub] vancouver || js says

    February 10, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    I love the idea of a croque hawaii!

    Reply
  23. Jennifer says

    February 10, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    Very interesting! It looks really good! Thanks for sharing Kevin!

    Reply
  24. Katrina says

    February 10, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    I had a croque monsieurs in NYC and it was SO good, love the Hawaiian twist–sounds even better!

    Reply
  25. Manggy says

    February 10, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    FANTASTIC! I should really try this one of these days… So easy and so good! (I’m a huge pineapple lover 😉 Ham more so!

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says

    February 10, 2009 at 7:39 pm

    The croque madame is hands down our fave. Gotta make this a girlie Hawaiian version with the fried egg!

    Reply
  27. Colleen says

    February 10, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    OOh the outside of that bread looks FANTASTIC.

    Reply
  28. Cheryl says

    February 10, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    Wow I wish I was eating that and not what I am having for lunch!

    Reply
  29. Donna-FFW says

    February 10, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    My goodness, does this ever look delicious. Love the flavors you chose, yet again!

    Reply
  30. kimberleyblue says

    February 10, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    i love croqie monsieurs, but this sounds 10x better! i was drooling while i read it – sounds and looks amazing.

    Reply
  31. Beth says

    February 10, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    I love toasties – yum.

    Reply
  32. Marjie says

    February 10, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    Now that’s what I call a great looking sandwich!

    Reply
  33. Sara says

    February 10, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    Dang that sounds good!

    Reply
  34. Helene says

    February 10, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    Hi never heard of it but I’m a fan of croque monsieur so I would love this version.

    Reply
  35. Maria says

    February 10, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    Nice and thick!! What a great sandwich! I bet the pineapple is so good on there!

    Reply
  36. Andrea says

    February 11, 2009 at 12:08 am

    Everytime I see what you’ve made, I think “I want that!” Looks delicious!

    Reply
  37. Fake Ginger says

    February 11, 2009 at 12:26 am

    Oh man, look at that thick ham! It looks delicious!

    Reply
  38. New Reciepe says

    February 11, 2009 at 1:31 am

    I have never had this dish before, but it sure looks good.

    Reply
  39. Sharon says

    February 11, 2009 at 1:57 am

    Now that’s a sandwich!

    Reply
  40. Mochachocolata Rita says

    February 11, 2009 at 2:08 am

    Wow, loving this, kev! I am too lazy to make my own bechamel, so normally I just get croque monsieur from delifrance. :p

    Reply
  41. MaryBeth says

    February 11, 2009 at 4:20 am

    WOW…this looks fantastic

    Reply
  42. Jude says

    February 11, 2009 at 4:23 am

    Sounds great… I’m also a big fan of the croque sandwiches.

    Reply
  43. PaniniKathy says

    February 11, 2009 at 5:43 am

    What a great idea! Ham and pineapple go so well together. Love the croque Hawaii twist.

    Reply
  44. James says

    February 11, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    What a great idea – you’re the king of sandwich hill!

    Reply
  45. Sara says

    February 11, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    What a great idea! I love ham and pineapple pizza, so I’m sure I’d love this sandwich too.

    Reply
  46. Grace says

    February 11, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    keep the other croques–i’ll take this one! i love ham and pineapple and mustard–great creation!

    Reply
  47. EAT! says

    February 11, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    So 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.

    Reply
  48. lisa (dandysugar) says

    February 11, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Very original and very enticing! I love your version of this yummy sandwich.

    Reply
  49. [email protected] says

    February 11, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    I love this concept! I happen to have some pineapple but I have to go get some ham.

    Reply
  50. Karen says

    February 11, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    Aww, 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.

    Reply
  51. diva says

    February 12, 2009 at 12:39 am

    ooooo i’m drooling pretty bad.

    Reply
  52. Brilynn says

    February 12, 2009 at 12:52 am

    I love pineapple, this sounds awesome!

    Reply
  53. Anonymous says

    February 12, 2009 at 1:05 am

    I always thought croque-monsieurs were ham & cheese sandwiches dunked in egg and milk, like French toast…

    Reply
  54. Kevin says

    February 12, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    Anonymous: A monte cristo sandwich is a ham and cheese sandwich that is cooked like french toast. They are really good as well.

    Reply
  55. Peter M says

    February 12, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    Now that’s a sandwich!

    Reply
  56. Marysol says

    February 12, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    Ham, Pineapple and Gruyere, just these three ingredients could make me very happy, and hungry.

    Reply
  57. noobcook says

    February 13, 2009 at 5:43 am

    the layer of melted cheese on top looks so appetizing.

    Reply
  58. Leslie says

    February 16, 2009 at 1:10 am

    mmmm..Thats my kinda sandwich!

    Reply
  59. Jeanne says

    February 16, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    Croque 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.

    Reply
  60. Anonymous says

    February 4, 2010 at 11:56 pm

    I think i like this WAY better than traditional… thanks again!

    Reply

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