Cooking for Students Monte Cristo

Monte Cristo

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Cooking for Students

The monte cristo is protein paradise. This sandwich has a lot hidden under that crispy exterior. There is cheese, ham, turkey and mustard as well as a lot of flavor. It is then dipped in an egg wash and cooked liked French toast until golden and crispy. The cheese melts, the meat is nice and warm, it has good crunch and dusting it with powdered sugar makes this a sweet and savory sandwich that satisfies. If French toast and a breakfast sandwich had a baby, its name would be monte cristo.

What’s in it?

  • 2 slices of bread, white or whole wheat is fine
  • Sliced deli ham
  • Sliced deli turkey
  • 1 slice Swiss cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise, low fat
  • Confectioner’s sugar, optional
  • Strawberry jam or preserves, optional

*Serves 1

How’s it made?

  1. Spread mustard and mayonnaise on the slices of bread. Use as much or as little as you like.
  2. Layer sliced ham and turkey onto one slice of bread. Add as much meat as you like. Top the meat with a slice of Swiss cheese and add the second slice of bread.
  3. Set the sandwich aside.
  4. Beat the egg and whisk in the milk.
  5. Add about a tablespoon of oil to a skillet. Heat over medium.
  6. Dip the sandwich in the egg wash. Make sure it is thoroughly coated.
  7. Transfer the sandwich to the skillet and cook on both sides until brown and crispy.
  8. Carefully remove the sandwich from the skillet and slice it diagonally.
  9. Plate and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
  10. Serve alongside some strawberry jam.

Who knew such an amazing sandwich can be made on a budget. The ingredients are so inexpensive but the final product is something so complex and tasty. The textures are absolutely perfect and the taste is even better. The melty Swiss combined with the deli meat is great, the mayo adds some fat to the monte cristo and the mustard gives it some mild spice. Since the sandwich is so savory adding some sweetness balances out the plate. A dusting of powdered sugar and enjoying it with some jam is the ideal finish. Also feel free to play with the recipe. You can use a different cheese, only use ham or experiment with deli meats. Use whatever you have on hand. The options are endless and the monte cristo will be delicious no matter what.