What You Need to Know
The Maillard reaction occurs when the bread and cheese are grilled, resulting in the formation of new flavor compounds. The browning of the bread is due to the caramelization of starches and the breakdown of sugars. The melting of the cheese is due to its low melting point and the application of heat.
Steps
- 1.
Croque Monsieur (France): Base for ham and cheese sandwich with béchamel
- 2.
Tosti Ham Kaas (Netherlands): National version with Dutch cheese and ham
- 3.
Melt Sandwich (USA): Expanded version with additional ingredients
The Science
Primary Reaction
Maillard reaction