Foot-Long Croque Monsieur - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons thyme
1 loaf ciabatta (extra-long) or 1 loaf French bread (extra-long)
3 tablespoons mustard
3/4 lb deli ham
2 cups grated gruyere cheese
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat for a few minutes until hot.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to combine, cooking for 2 minutes and stirring occasionally.
Add 1 tbsp of thyme and slowly whisk in the milk.
Simmer the bechamel sauce for 2 more minutes while whisking. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste.
Mix the 3 cheeses together in a bowl.
Slice loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Fill with mustard, ham and half of the cheese mixture. Place on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until the cheese is melted.
Preheat the broiler. Spread the bechamel sauce on top of the sandwich and sprinkle over the leftover cheese mixture. Broil until golden-brown, about 6 minutes.
Garnish with the remaining thyme.