Cheddar Croque Madame Waffles

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #BrunchWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #Brunchweek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

This is sure to become a brunch favorite. A ham and cheddar waffle is topped with creamy Dijon bechamel. More ham and cheese and a perfectly poached egg seal the deal for a fun brunch style twist on the classic French Sandwich.

     I am a bit sad to have to tell you this is the final day of #BrunchWeek. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.  My must make list is about a mile longer and I can't wait to try some of the fun recipes I've seen!


     This final recipe is a perfect brunch dish in my eyes. It is a slightly more grown up and definitely more savory version of one of my all time brunch favorites, the Belgian waffle.  Using some inspiration from the decadent French sandwich, the croque madame and sprinkling in a healthy dose of Cabot Vermont Cheddar Cheese for a new brunch treat.

     That's right, folks! I took a French sandwich, a Belgian waffle and the finest of American cheddar cheeses for an international brunch delight. It is a small world after all! I topped it with a farm fresh poached egg straight from my parents' house for a touch of eat local and farm to table too. This dish covers all of the bases!

     Let me break it down for you a little more. These waffles aren't just any old waffles. They are stuffed with ham and freshly grated cheddar. Then they are cooked until golden and crispy. They would be great with some butter and syrup and you should definitely try that someday. But not today!

     Oh no, today you are going to spread some bechamel flavored with a bit of Dijon on it. Then you are going to grate some of that delicious cheese on top. Go ahead, pile it on. This is your brunch, you might as well go for it.

     Now stick that puppy under the broiler until everything is gooey, bubbly and scrumptious. Now put a perfectly poached egg on top and admire your creation. Not bad, huh? Ok, go ahead and dig in! I dare you!

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Cheddar Croque Madame Waffles

by Cooking With Carlee May-13-2017

Ingredients

• 4 T butter
• 4 T flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 T Dijon mustard
• 2 cups flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup shaved ham, diced
• 1 cup Cabot Vermont White Cheddar, shredded
• 18-24 slices shaved ham
• 1 cup Cabot Vermont White Cheddar, shredded
• 6 eggs, poached or fried to your desired doneness
• salt and peper
• chives for serving (optional)

Instructions

To make the bechamel:
In a small saucepan or skillet, melt 4 Tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 4 Tablespoons of flour and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently. You don't want to brown, just enough to cook off the flour flavor.
Whisk in the milk a little at a time to ensure you don't have lumps. Once all of the milk is added, continue to cook and stir until the bechamel is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat and stir in Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.To make the waffles:
Preheat the waffle maker.
In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in the eggs, milk and melted 1/4 cup of butter until just combined. Fold in the ham and cheese.
Grease the waffle maker and put about 3/4 cup of batter onto the surface. Close and cook until golden brown. To assemble:
Top a waffle with about 1/6 of the bechamel sauce.
Place 3-4 slices of shaved ham on top and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Place on oven safe pan and broil until the cheese is melted and the bechamel is hot and bubbly.
Move to serving plate and top with an egg and chopped chives if desired.
Serve immediately

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 30 mins Yield: 6 waffles

If you are looking for more great brunch ideas, there is always the savory Parmesan and polenta brunch bowl. Maybe you are looking for something more on the sweet side? How about red, white and blue sourdough waffles or brownie baked oatmeal? What are your favorite brunch dishes?