A French bistro classic made with local ingredients from Locals Market

 

If a grilled cheese went to Paris and came back with better taste in everything, that’s a Croque Monsieur. It’s indulgent, it’s a little fancy, and it comes together in about 20 minutes. This is the kind of lunch (or dinner, we won’t judge) that makes an ordinary Tuesday feel like a occasion.

The secret, as always, is starting with good ingredients. And lucky for you, Locals Market in Dillsburg has exactly what you need.

What You’ll Need

• Weaver’s of Wellsville Ham — thinly sliced
• Locals Market Hearty Bread — the sturdy, substantial base this sandwich deserves
• Emmental, Gruyère, or Weaver’s of Wellsville Smoked Baby Swiss — melty, nutty, and perfect
• Koop’s Dijon Mustard — don’t skip this; it’s the backbone of the whole thing
• Butter — generous, always
• Heavy cream — just a drizzle
• Parmesan — grated, for the top
• Chives — fresh, for finishing

No strict measurements here. This is a feel-it-out, measure with your heart kind of recipe. Scale up for a crowd or keep it to one perfect sandwich.

How to Make It

1. Build your sandwich. Butter both inner sides of two slices of Locals Market Hearty Bread generously. Spread a coat of Koop’s Dijon on the buttered sides, then layer Weaver’s ham and your cheese of choice — Emmental, Gruyère, or Smoked Baby Swiss all work beautifully here.
2. Top it. Place the assembled sandwich on a baking sheet or oven-safe pan. Drizzle a little cream over the top slice of bread, then finish with a generous handful of grated Parmesan and a scatter of fresh chives.
3. Bake. Into a 425°F oven for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. Keep an eye on it toward the end — you want bubbly and browned, not burnt.
4. Serve immediately. This one doesn’t wait well. Eat it hot, straight from the pan.

 

A Few Notes

• Cheese choice matters (but you can’t go wrong). Gruyère is the most classic; Emmental is milder and melts like a dream; Weaver’s Smoked Baby Swiss adds a subtle smokiness that plays beautifully off the ham. Try a combination if you’re feeling adventurous.
• The Dijon is non-negotiable. It adds a gentle heat and tang that cuts through all that richness. Koop’s is a great pick — clean, sharp flavor without being overwhelming.
• Want to make it a Croque Madame? Top it with a fried egg right before serving. That’s technically what earns the “Madame” title, and it takes this from great to unforgettable.

 

Find Your Ingredients at Locals Market

Everything you need for this recipe; Weaver’s ham, Locals Market Hearty Bread, Koop’s Dijon, and a beautiful selection of cheeses is waiting for you at Locals Market in Dillsburg, PA.

 

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