Our Croque Madame is stacked high with ham, a melted blend of Gruyère and Lifeway Farmer cheese, creamy Lifeway Kefir béchamel, and topped with a sunny-side egg. This French bistro classic is an indulgent dish to enjoy any time, but it’s so much better when it’s made with Lifeway!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health.
Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, support the digestive system, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1. Lifeway Kefir also contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health including vitamins D3, K, and B 12 along with calcium and potassium. Along with our kefir, we also offer our creamy, cultured Lifeway Farmer Cheese, a high protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that’s easy to spread and contains no added salt or sugar.
Prep Time: 20 mins Servings: 1 - 2Ingredients
Béchamel Sauce:
- 4 tbsp. Salted Kefir Butter
- 4 tbsp. flour of choice
- 1 3/4 cup Organic Whole Milk Plain Kefir
- 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Sandwich:
- Slices thick bread of choice
- 2 tbsp. additional Lifeway Salted Kefir Butter
- 4 slices ham
- 1/2 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
- 1/2 tbsp. additional Lifeway Salted Kefir Butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp fresh chives, optional
- 1/2 cup micro greens, optional
- freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Béchamel sauce: Melt the Lifeway Salted Kefir Butter in a sauté pan set over medium heat until it starts to melt. Sprinkle the flour over the top of the butter and cook, stirring constantly till the mixture clumps together and bubbles. Gradually add the kefir, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Add the thyme and continue whisking until the sauce thickens. Whisk in mustard, nutmeg, and salt. Remove from heat, Set aside.
- Heat oven to 375° F.
- For the sandwiches: Add Lifeway Salted Kefir Butter just 1 side of the bread slices. Place the bread slices butter side down on a baking sheet. Place folded slices of ham on each slice of bread and cover each sandwich with farmer cheese. Top with the remaining slices of bread butter side up.
- Toast sandwiches in the oven until slightly golden and cheese is melted.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and pour the béchamel sauce evenly over all four sandwiches. Top each sandwich with ¼ cup grated Gruyère cheese. Place under broiler until Gruyère cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
- Place 1 sunny side egg on each sandwich. Top with chives, microgreens, and freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy!
