Mushroom Croque Monsieur

This is a Vegetarian version of the classic French, Croque Monsieur.

Mushroom Croque Monsieur

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
A Large Cast Iron Skillet
A Food Processor
1 - Rimmed Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper.


Filling:
8 TBS Butter, softened and divided.
1 - 8 oz. package of Crimini Mushrooms
2 TBS Minced Shallots
2 C Shredded Gruyère Cheese
2 TBS Grated Parmesan Cheese
12 Slices of Country Style French Bread (Pain de Compagne)

Sauce:
1 1/2 TBS Butter
1 1/2 TBS Flour
1 1/2 C Whole Milk
1/2 C Grated Fresh Parmesan Cheese
A Pinch of Nutmeg
Salt and Pepper to taste




Sauce Preparation

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Butter, until melted.
Flour
Whisk for 2 minutes.

Add:
Milk
Whisk well.
Increase Heat to Medium High.
Whisk until it begins to Boil.
Continue heating for 5 minutes.
Remove from Heat.

Add:
Cheese
Nutmeg
Salt and Pepper
Stir to combine well.


Filling Preparation

In a Food Processor:
Mushrooms
Pulse until finely chopped.
Set aside.

In the Skillet:
3 TBS Butter, until melted
Mushrooms
Shallot
Sauté 8 minutes, stirring often
Transfer to a Bowl.

Heat the Broiler in the Oven.
Spread each slice of Bread on 1 side with remaining Butter.
Transfer to the Sheet Pan, Butter Side Up.
Watch carefully as it Broils, just until Golden Brown.
Remove to a Rack to cool completely.

Have the Oven preheated to 350 degrees.

On the Sheet Pan:
6 of the Bread Slices, Toasted side down.
Sprinkle with some of the Gruyère Cheese.
Top with another slice of Bread, Toasted Side up.
Press with a heavy Cast Iron Skillet or an Iron Panini Press.

Spread 2 TBS of the Sauce on each top.
Top evenly with Mushroom mixture.
Sprinkle evenly with remaining Gruyère Cheese.
Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan Cheese.

Return to the Oven.
Bake 10 minutes, until the Cheese is Golden Brown.

Transfer to a Serving Platter.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!