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This Monte Cristo Sandwich features layers of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, each bite is a deep dive into hearty flavors. Served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a side of jam, it’s the perfect blend of savory and sweet.
Easy Monte Cristo Sandwich
This Monte Cristo sandwich is a delightful culinary escapade, packed with the comforting flavors of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, lovingly nestled between eggy, toasted bread slices. A quick dip in a milk and egg mixture and fry it to a golden brown crispiness that sings. A sprinkle of powdered sugar and a dollop of jam on the side transform this sandwich from merely satisfying to truly sublime.
Pro Tip
Dip the bread quickly into the egg and milk mixture to coat it well, but don’t let it soak. This way you’ll get that custard-like texture inside without making the bread soggy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- White bread: You’ll want some thick cut white bread, store-bought or homemade. You can also use brioche or challah.
- Dijon mustard: If you don’t have any, you can use a bit of honey mustard or even mayonnaise.
- Ham: This is great use of your leftover ham if you have any, otherwise sliced deli ham works just fine.
- Turkey: I like a combination of ham and turkey in my Monte Cristo sandwiches, so if you like use some sliced turkey.
- Swiss cheese: This is my favorite cheese for this sandwich, but you can also use Gruyere or Emmental.
- Egg and milk: We need a combination of eggs and milk to dip our sandwiches in.
- Salt and pepper: Season the egg mixture to taste.
- Unsalted butter: I like using butter to fry my sandwiches in, it gives the best flavor and also helps to get that golden color.
- Powdered sugar: Traditionally these sandwiches are sprinkled with a bit of powdered sugar.
- Raspberry or strawberry jam: Any berry jam will work.
In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and milk, then season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Start by spreading Dijon mustard over two slices of bread. Layer each with ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, then top with the remaining bread slices to form your sandwiches.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt some butter in it. Quickly dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are well-coated but not soggy. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Once cooked, cut each sandwich in half and dust lightly with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with a side of raspberry or strawberry jam for dipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Monte Cristo sandwich different from a regular sandwich?
A Monte Cristo is a French-inspired version of the ham and cheese sandwich that is dipped in an egg batter and pan-fried until golden. It’s typically served with a dusting of powdered sugar and jam on the side.
Can I make the Monte Cristo sandwich ahead of time?
It’s best served fresh, but you can prepare the sandwiches and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to dip and fry. I don’t recommend soaking them in the egg mixture ahead of time, as the bread will become too soggy.
Expert Tips
- Use Day-Old Bread: Opt for day-old bread as it absorbs the egg mixture well without becoming too soggy.
- Control the Heat: Cook the sandwich over medium heat to ensure it browns evenly without burning, allowing the cheese to melt beautifully inside.
- Press Lightly While Cooking: Gently press down on the sandwich with a spatula while it cooks to help the heat distribute evenly and to create a crispier exterior.
Storing Leftovers
To store any leftover Monte Cristo sandwiches, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. While you can freeze them, I recommend against it as the bread may become soggy once thawed.
More Delicious Sandwich Recipes
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Monte Cristo Sandwich
Monte Cristo Sandwich: This delightful twist on the classic features layers of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese nestled between slices of egg-dipped bread, fried to golden perfection. It’s served with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of raspberry or strawberry jam.
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Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
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Spread Dijon mustard over two slices of bread. Layer each with two slices of ham, two slices of turkey, and two slices of Swiss cheese. Top with the remaining slices of bread to form sandwiches.
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In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg, milk, salt, and pepper.
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Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, making sure both sides are well coated. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side.
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Cut each sandwich in half. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry or strawberry jam on the side.
Notes
- Bread Choice: Thick-sliced bread like brioche or challah works best for holding up to the egg mixture and frying process.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the powdered sugar or choose a less sweet jam like blackberry or blueberry.
- Cheese Variations: While Swiss cheese is traditional, feel free to try Gruyere or Emmental cheese.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1servingCalories: 643kcal (32%)Carbohydrates: 31g (10%)Protein: 44g (88%)Fat: 38g (58%)Saturated Fat: 19g (119%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 229mg (76%)Sodium: 1248mg (54%)Potassium: 476mg (14%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 825IU (17%)Vitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 480mg (48%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
