A Monte Cristo sandwich is a holy alliance of ham, cheese, and mustard sandwiched along with French toast relatively than sliced bread and smothered in maple syrup. They’re cheap to make and on the desk in simply half-hour.
Monte Cristo. Sounds sorta fancy-dancy, doesn’t it? Don’t let the highfalutin title idiot you. This anytime-of-day sandwich indulgence is a leftover ham and cheese sandwich that collides with a grilled cheese however with French toast masquerading because the sliced bread.
It might appear quirky, this collision of candy and savory, however the unlikely mixture of eggs, ham, cheese, mustard, custardy bread, and maple syrup or jam is gorgeous for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or every other time your curiosity deserves making it.
This recipe swaps sturdy English muffins as an alternative of spongy white sandwich bread. Sensible.
Why Our Testers Liked This
There’s a complete bunch of causes our recipe testers devoured these traditional French sandwiches. They liked that it may very well be served at any meal of the day and have been particularly smitten with the creamy texture of the custard-soaked English muffins.
Victoria F. encourages everybody to “Give it a attempt—you gained’t be sorry!”
Notes on Elements
- Eggs and cream–The cream custard coats the English muffins to create a creamy heart and crusty exterior, just like French toast.
- English muffins–The open construction makes them good for these sandwiches, because the custard has loads of nooks and crannies to nestle into. You possibly can substitute common thick-cut sandwich bread in case you favor.
- Gruyère cheese–The nutty taste of Gruyère pairs exceptionally effectively with the candy jam and salty ham. We extremely suggest Gruyère, however you possibly can substitute a distinct Swiss/Alpine cheese kind.
- Ham–You should use thin-sliced deli ham or leftover baked ham.
- Jam or syrup–Purple currant jelly is the traditional alternative, however we additionally find it irresistible with raspberry jam.
Tips on how to Make This Recipe
- Whisk the eggs, cream, salt, and sugar collectively. Soak the English muffin halves within the custard for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the sandwiches. Prime a soaked English muffin half with a slice of cheese, some ham, and a schmear of mustard. Prime with the opposite English muffin half.
- Prepare dinner the Monte Cristo sandwiches. Fry the sandwiches in butter in a skillet till browned on one facet. Flip and switch to a 350°F oven to complete cooking.
- Serve, topped with jam or syrup.
What’s one of the best jam for a Monte Cristo?
The traditional alternative is a sweetly tart crimson currant jelly, however a raspberry jam is a implausible possibility, too.
What’s the distinction between a croque monsieur and a Monte Cristo?
Right here’s the distinction: A croque monsieur is a sandwich full of ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce, then buttered and grilled. Some bistros prime the sandwich with extra béchamel and cheese on prime and slide it into the broiler till it’s bubbly and golden.
A Monte Cristo is a ham (or turkey) and cheese sandwich dipped in egg batter, deep or pan-fried, then dusted with powdered sugar and, typically, drizzled with jam.
Intrigued by each? Take a look at David’s croque monsieur casserole.
Useful Suggestions
- Don’t crowd the skillet when cooking the sandwiches. Make them in batches or use a second skillet, if mandatory.
- These simple Monte Cristo sandwiches are an effective way to make use of up leftover ham.
- Leftover sandwiches might be wrapped in foil and saved within the fridge for as much as 2 days. To reheat, place the foil-wrapped sandwich in a 400°F oven till heated via.
Extra nice sandwich recipes
☞ When you make this recipe, or any dish on LC, take into account leaving a evaluate, a star ranking, and your greatest picture within the feedback under. I really like listening to from you.–David
Monte Cristo Sandwich
The Monte Cristo sandwich might sound fancy, nevertheless it’s actually nothing greater than the collision of a ham and cheese sandwich and French toast. Not fancy. However positively scrumptious.
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
-
In a big bowl, whisk collectively the eggs, cream, salt, and sugar. Place the English muffin halves, lower facet up, in a single layer in a baking dish or roasting pan. Pour the egg combination evenly excessive and let the muffins soak till saturated, flipping the muffins as soon as, about 10 minutes.
-
Utilizing a fork or tongs, elevate a muffin half from the batter, letting the surplus liquid drip again into the bowl, and place it on a plate, lower facet down. Place a cheese slice on prime of the muffin, adopted by 1 or 2 slices of ham. Crown with a schmear of mustard. Sandwich with one other English muffin half, lower facet up. Repeat with the remaining substances.
-
In a big ovenproof skillet over medium to medium-low warmth, warmth 1 tablespoon of butter till it melts, tilting the skillet to evenly slick the floor with butter. Fastidiously organize the assembled sandwiches within the pan and cook dinner till the bottoms are frivolously browned, about 3 minutes. (It might be essential to cook dinner the sandwiches in batches to not crowd the skillet. Add extra butter to the skillet in between batches if mandatory.)
-
Utilizing a large spatula, flip the sandwiches. Slide the skillet into the oven and bake simply till the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes, flipping the sandwiches as soon as once more midway via.
-
Serve instantly. Remember to go jam, maple syrup, and/or confectioners’ sugar on the desk.
- Keep away from overcrowding–Don’t crowd the skillet when cooking the sandwiches. Make them in batches or use a second skillet, if mandatory.
- Deplete leftover ham–These simple Monte Cristo sandwiches are an effective way to make use of up leftover ham.
- Storage and reheating–Leftover Monte Cristo sandwiches might be wrapped in foil and saved within the fridge for as much as 2 days. To reheat, place the foil-wrapped sandwich in a 400°F oven till heated via.
Serving: 1sandwichEnergy: 338kcal (17%)Carbohydrates: 28g (9%)Protein: 12g (24%)Fats: 20g (31%)Saturated Fats: 11g (69%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 6gTrans Fats: 0.1gLdl cholesterol: 229mg (76%)Sodium: 945mg (41%)Potassium: 176mg (5%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 804IU (16%)Vitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 89mg (9%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
When you make this recipe, snap a photograph and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We’d like to see your creations on Instagram, Fb, and Twitter.
Recipe Testers’ Critiques
When you make this recipe, snap a photograph and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We might like to see your creations on Instagram, Fb, and Twitter.
