10 oz thinly sliced smoked salmon, coarsely sliced .
1 1/2 c gruyere cheese (6 oz.) .
6 large eggs .
1/2 c unsalted butter .
3 tbsps all-purpose flour .
1 c minced fresh chives .
40 slices rye cocktail bread .
salt & freshly ground black pepper .
40 slices pumpernickel rounds .
2 c milk .
1/2 tsp grated fresh nutmeg
Directions
Step #1 In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsps of butter.
Step #2 Stir in flour until completely mixed, until roux is golden brown, stirring constantly, then cook over moderately hight heat, about 3 mins.
Step #3 Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
Step #4 Bring sauce to boil, whisking constantly.
Step #5 Reduce heat to moderately low & let simmer, whisking often, until no floury taste remains, about 5 mins.
Step #6 Remove saucepan from heat & let sauce cool, stirring, until very warm.
Step #7 Stir in sliced salmon, Gruyeres, chives, & nutmeg.
Step #8 Spice up with salt & pepper & let sauce cool completely.
Step #9 Spread half of the rye slices with a rounded tbsp of the salmon mixture & close the sandwiches.
Step #10 Repeat with the pumpernickel slices & remaining salmon mixture.
Step #11 Can cover sandwiches with plastic wrap & store this in refrigerator overnight, if desired.
Step #12 Preheat oven to 400°F In a large shallow bowl, beat eggs thoroughly.
Step #13 Stack 2 or 3 large rimmed baking sheets on one side of the stove.
Step #14 In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsps of butter over moderate heat.
Step #15 Dip 8 of the sandwiches in the beaten egg to coat completely, until browned, turning once, cook the egg-dipped sandwiches over moderately-high heat, about 1 mins per side.
Step #16 Transfer sandwiches to one of the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Step #17 Repeat with the remaining sandwiches & beaten eggs, using 1 tbsp of butter per batch.
Step #18 Reheat sandwiches in the oven for about 8 mins, until piping hot.
Step #19 Cut sandwiches in half on the diagonal, skewer with small wooden forks & serve hot.
Step #20 Sandwiches can be made earlier in the day & reheated.
Enjoy the Mini Smoked Salmon Sandwiches (Croque-Monsieur) recipe