MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

 SEPTEMBER 17 is Monte Cristo Sandwich Day!!  Did you know this delicious sandwich came with its own holiday?   To celebrate fry up one of these bad boys AND ENJOY !

A Monte Cristo Sandwich is traditionally a sandwich with ham, turkey and swiss, then dipped in a french toast like egg batter and fried.  It can then be served plain or sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam or preserves.   So it's a grilled cheese sandwich on super steroids!

It is definitely more of a savory sandwich, but the jam and sugar add just the right touch of sweetness! If you are like me you really dig a sweet and savory combo, and the Monte Cristo really helps scratch that itch.

HISTORY:  Most food historians believe the Monte Cristo is a cousin of the Croque Monsieur. (a ham and gruyere sandwich fried in clarified butter).  Starting in the 1930s many cookbooks started including this sandwich under the name French Sandwich, French toasted cheese sandwich or French Ham Sandwich.  It is generally accepted that the Monte Cristo was first served in California diners and restaurants in the 1950s.  

In 1966 Disneyland in Anaheim California helped cement the popularity of the Monte Cristo Sandwich  when they began to feature it in New Orleans Square at the Blue Bayou and Tahitian Terrace restaurants.  It continues to be a popular item to this day.

serving size is 1 sandwich

YOU WILL NEED:  White Bread (A good hearty/sturdy bread)

                                    sliced turkey

                                    sliced ham

                                    swiss cheese

                                    Mayo

                                   2 TBSP Milk

                                   1 egg

                                  2 TBSP butter

1st- Prep the Bread.  Take 3 slices of a good sturdy/hearty white bread. Stack them up and cut off all the crusts. 

2nd. In a nonstick pan or cast iron skillet, place the butter and start it melting.  THEN

3rd. In a shallow dish whisk together the egg and milk and set aside.

                NOW

START ASSEMBLING THE SANDWICH

1. Place 1 slice of bread and  Top with slice of swiss cheese and some ham.

2. Take 2nd slice of bread and spread some mayo, place mayo side down on ham. Spread more mayo on side facing up.

3. Add turkey and top with another slice of swiss cheese. Top with remaining slice of bread.

4.  Press down on the sandwiches to flatten them together  (Smoosh em good!!)

NOW ONTO COOKING THE SANDWICH:

1. Dip flattened sandwich quickly into the  egg mixture to cover both sides (you want it coated, not soaked) and place in hot pan  in the melted butter.  

2. Cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese starts to melt.  Carefully flip sandwich and fry on other side.

DIG IN!

1. Cut Sandwiches on the diagonal and serve as is         OR

optional: dust lightly with 10x (powdered) sugar and serve with a side of raspberry jam or preserves!!

Enjoy your Monte Cristo!!