Monte Cristo Sandwich

This delicious Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe is made with ham, turkey and Swiss Cheese between two slices of white bread that has been dipped in egg batter and fried up golden brown in a skillet. It is almost like eating a grilled cheese sandwich with all the goodies inside sandwiched between French Toast. 

This is a very hearty meal by itself but sometimes I like to serve it with a simple garden salad with a honey mustard vinaigrette, Chickpea Salad or Summer Fruit Salad.

This delicious and easy sandwich is a family favorite and a great brunch recipe.  They take just a few minutes to make and they are so yummy. This recipe is very similar to one on the menu at Disneyland in California but it is pan fried instead of deep fried.  For a fun and tasty tradition, serve them with a dusting of powdered sugar and strawberry or raspberry jam for dipping.  Pick a good hearty white bread that would hold up well being made into French toast.  Although you don’t want it too thick as the whole sandwich is going to be dipped in the egg mixture and put into the frying pan.

How do you make a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

Start by whisking your eggs and milk together in a shallow dish.  Next spread a little mayo on one slice of bread and a little mustard on the other slice of bread.  Now place one piece of Swiss Cheese on each side of the bread.  Then layer one side with ham and turkey.  Bring the pieces of the bread together to form a full sandwich.  Use a cutting board to gently compress the sandwich a bit.

Now melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Dip the sandwich in the egg batter being sure to get both sides of the sandwich wet.  Add the sandwich to the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides.  Cover the pan with a loose piece of aluminum foil to make sure the cheese melts and any egg mixture cooks through. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with a side raspberry preserves. 

Recipe notes and helpful tips

• Choose a good quality white bread that is not too thick nor too thin.  For this sandwich, I like to use Sara Lee Artesano Bakery Bread but any good quality white bread will suffice.
• I like to use thin-cut deli ham and turkey for Monte Cristo sandwiches.  The Boars Head brand is excellent but any good quality meat will work just fine.
• If you don’t like Swiss Cheese replace it with mozzarella, provolone, Muenster or Gruyere.  As long as it melts well and you like the taste of it go for it.
• Inevitably some egg batter will get on the rest of the sandwich when dunking it so be sure to cover the skillet after a few minutes with a loose piece of aluminum foil.  This will help to assure that any egg batter that clung to the meat or cheese cooks through.
• Monte Cristo sandwiches are best served promptly.  If making multiple sandwiches place the ones already made on an ovenproof plate and place in a warm oven while you finish cooking the others.
• This is a large filling sandwich so it could easily feed two people.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cheeses you can use on a Monte Cristo Sandwich

Traditionally, Swiss Cheese is used on a Monte Cristo Sandwich but not everyone likes the unique flavor of Swiss Cheese including my son.  You can use any cheese that melts well and tastes good with ham and turkey.

• Mozzarella
• Pepper Jack
• American
• Provolone
• Muenster
• Havarti
• Fontina
• Monterey Jack

This sandwich is delicious, dependable and incredibly easy.  Put the ingredients on your shopping list today and make you and yours a fabulous recipe.  They will be singing your praises!

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