Panini Sandwich Recipe

CROQUE-MONSIEUR PANINI
Submitted by Gail Grow
Cheese Sauce:
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
¼ Tsp grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup whole milk
¼ cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
French bread or other firm, white country style bread, 4 slices each, about ½” thick.
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
¼ Lb. Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced
3 Oz. Black Forest ham, thinly sliced
2 Tsp fresh chives, snipped
1. To make the cheese sauce, in a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking, for 1 minute to make a smooth paste. Stir in the mustard, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste, then slowly whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking, until the sauce comes to a boil and thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Keep warm until ready to use.
2. Preheat sandwich grill. Brush 1 side of each bread slice with melted butter. Turn & spread unbuttered sides with mustand. On each of 2 of the bread slices, mustard side up, layer ¼ of the cheese, half of the ham, and half of the chives.