French Grilled Cheese

• butter↗2 tablespoons
• all-purpose flour↗3 tablespoons
• whole milk, scalded but not boiling↗2 cups
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• garlic salt1⁄2 teaspoon
• swiss cheese, grated↗10 ounces
• freshly grated parmesan cheese3⁄4 cup
• ham, sliced thin from the deli↗1⁄2 lb
• Dijon mustard↗1⁄4 cup
• rustic white bread, sliced with crust removed↗16

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F

2. 2

   Melt butter over low heat in small saucepan. Whisk in flour until blended. Continue to stir and cook butter and flour for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add scalded milk, whisking continually, until mixture is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat, stir in salt, garlic salt, 1/2 cup Swiss cheese and all of Parmesan cheese until cheese is melted and set aside.

3. 3

   Toast bread slices on large baking sheet on both sides under broiler until golden brown. Remove from oven.

4. 4

   Brush each bread slice with Dijon mustard. Place sliced ham on half of bread slices and top each with 1/2 of remaining Swiss cheese and remaining 1/2 of bread slices. Spread reserved cheese sauce over tops of sandwiches, sprinkle with left over Swiss cheese.

5. 5

   Bake sandwiches for 5 minutes. Place under broiler for additional 2-4 minutes, or until tops are browned and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning tops. Serve immediately.