Gourmet Made Easy
An Egg-celent Treat
The Croque Madame. A classic French sandwich that reminds us that the gourmet does not have to be complicated. And what if I told you it was possible to make this delicacy from just a single trip to a farmers market. Rich, savoury ham is smothered in grated gruyere and parmesan cheese and layered in a luxurious bechamel sauce to form the soul of this dish. They are then oven baked until golden brown and the cheeses have melted together. Finally, she is topped with a beautiful fried egg giving our Madame her signature look. The perfect meal whether you are sitting on the patio of a boutique Parisian café or relaxing at a lazy Sunday brunch right here in Edmonton.
Croque Madame at Home
If you are looking for a Croque Madame in Edmonton, here are a few places to check out:
- Cafe Bicyclette
A quaint French cafe located in the right across from Campus Saint-Jean, in the heart of Bonnie Doon. They offer a variety of French dishes, including the Croque Madame. A perfect option for a lunch date, as in summer this venue hosts multiple Fringe shows a day.
- Duchess Bake Shop
A personal favorite, this bakery is located in the heart of Edmonton. While they are best known from their pastries and cakes, they also offer authentic lunch cuisine. If you are looking for a Croque Madame, this is a great option.
The Origins of the Croque Madame
The Croque Madame’s roots begin in the 1900’s. Its creation is most often attributed to Michel Lunarca, a bistro owner in Paris. The most common story is that one day the bistro ran out of baguettes for sandwiches, forcing them to use white bread as an emergency substitution. This original mixture of ham, cheese bechamel sauce, and delicate soft bread would be baked in the oven to create the “croque monsieur” or “Crunchy Mister”. The addition of the fried egg atop our sandwich forms the wide brimmed hat, transforming our sandwich into the fabled Croque Madame.
Croque Madame in Popular Media
The entire reason I picked this sandwich was because of a scene in Brooklyn 99. It was an episode in which Captain Holt sets out to make his husband a homecooked meal. It is a struggle, as he fails to grasp the emotions of cooking. Finally, after some time, he settles on making him a homecooked croque madame that the two shared on a rainy day in Paris. It serves a reminder that food is best shared with the people we care about the most, and how we feel is as valuable as how it tastes.
