With the usual parade chocolate truffles and conversation hearts behind us, you can still brighten the one you love’s morning with a cheeky breakfast treat!  After all, nothing spells L-O-V-E like a C-H-E-E-S-Y, gooey, melty, warm sandwich!

{image via Cooking with My Kid}

Croque Madame in a Hole, for 2

Ingredients:

• 1+ T. butter
• 4 slices of bread of your choice {I prefer to go traditional with sourdough, but honey whole wheat is delightful too!}
• 4 slices of Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• 4 slices of thick-sliced smoked ham {like Black Forest}
• creamy Dijon mustard
• 2 dashes of nutmeg
• cooking spray
• 2 large eggs
• Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter {smallish}

Directions:

1. In a large, nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium-low heat until melted.  Place 2 slices of bread in skillet and top each with the “fixin’s” – beginning with 1 piece of cheese and alternating ham, cheese, ham.  Slather the two remaining slices of bread with Dijon mustard, sprinkle nutmeg on top, and “crown” your sandwiches.
2. Cook on medium-low {reduce to low if your bottom bread seems to be burning}, without flipping, for about 3 minutes, until the cheese begins to melt.  Flip sandwiches and cook for another 3 minutes, pressing down with a panini press or the bottom of a medium-weight skillet for the last minute.
3. Remove sandwiches from skillet onto a cutting board.  With your cookie cutter, cut a heart out of the center of each sandwich.  Set hearts aside.
4. Return sandwiches to the skillet, adjusting the heat to medium-high.  {At this point, you might want to give your spritz or two of cooking spray, before replacing the sandwiches, if the skillet looks dry.}  Crack an egg into each of the heart-holes and cook for 1 minute.
5. Reduce heat to lowest setting, cover skillet, and allow egg to cook and set for about 5 minutes.
6. Plate sandwiches {don’t forget your center heart as a “garnish”!} and serve with a big smooch!