Brussels sprout casserole with cheese crust

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1.2 kg Brussels sprouts
• Salt and pepper, white
• 200 g cooked ham (1 thick slice)
• 200 g cheese, hard cheese (e.g. French Comte)
• 40 g margarine
• 40 g flour
• 250 ml milk
• 1 tsp vegetable broth (instant)
• nutmeg

Instructions

Working time approx. 1 hour 15 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour 15 minutes

Clean and wash the Brussels sprouts. Cover and simmer in about 3/8 l of boiling salted water for about 15 minutes. Dice the ham. Grate the cheese. Drain the Brussels sprouts, reserving the vegetable water. Heat the fat. Sauté the flour while stirring. Stir in the milk and vegetable water. Bring to a boil and dissolve the broth in it. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Melt 100 g of cheese in it. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Place the Brussels sprouts and ham in a greased baking dish. Pour the sauce over them. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake in a preheated oven (electric oven 200°C) for about 40 minutes until golden brown.