Sonali Shah’s spin on this decadent classic swaps fried eggs for poached – and adds a spicy kick

The croque madame is my favourite take on the humble cheese toastie, and the twists here add a real depth of flavour. Cumin seeds, turmeric and caramelised shallots spice up the classic cheese sauce, which I like to fire up further with a handful of chopped green chillies. While the classic madame is topped with a fried egg, I prefer poached Freshlay Farms Golden Yolker eggs – something about their golden yolks dripping over crispy cheese makes my heart sing, and takes this dish to the next level.

Prep 10 min
Cook 20 min
Serves 2