Faking It Monte Cristo Sandwich Food

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH RECIPE

Steps:

• Soften 1 tablespoon of butter and very lightly butter one side of two slices of the bread, and both sides of the third slice of bread. Spread Dijon mustard onto the unbuttered side of one slice of bread, and 1 teaspoon of jam or jelly onto the unbuttered side of the final slice.
• Assemble sandwich in the following order: 1 ounce/slice of Swiss/Gruyere on top of the Dijon, followed by the ham, the slice of fully buttered bread, turkey, 1 ounce/slice of Swiss/Gruyere, and the remaining slice of bread, jelly side down. Trim crusts, if desired.
• Loosely wrap the sandwich with plastic wrap and weigh it down with a grill press or skillet for 3-5 minutes.
• In a shallow dish, whisk together egg, milk, salt, and nutmeg. Dip sandwich into the egg mixture, until some of the liquid absorbs into the bread, but it isn't falling apart.
• Melt together vegetable oil and remaining butter in a skillet (I like to use cast iron). Cook 3-4 minutes per side, until sandwich is golden and cheese is melted. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Heat remaining jam or jelly in a small saucepan or microwave until warmed. Dust sandwich with confectioner's sugar, slice in half, and serve with jelly on the side.

MONTE CRISTO BREAKFAST SANDWICH

Steps:

• Make the French toast: Whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. Place the bread slices in the bowl of egg mixture and coat both sides. Heat 2 skillets (each large enough to hold 2 slices of bread) over medium heat. Add half of the butter to each. When the butter begins to foam and brown slightly on the edges, arrange 2 slices of bread in each skillet. Cook until the undersides have browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the slices over and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, reducing the heat to medium-low if the bread is browning too quickly. Transfer the French toast to a plate and let cool slightly. Wipe out the skillets. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook the sandwiches: Return the skillets to medium heat and add about 1 tablespoon butter to each. Allow the butter to melt and froth, swirling to coat the bottoms of the skillets. Divide the eggs between the skillets and spread evenly on the bottoms. Arrange two slices of the French toast, slightly apart, in each skillet. Cook, shaking the skillets a little bit so the eggs don't stick, until the eggs on the bottom of the skillet sear and firm up, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Finish: Divide and spread the remaining butter on the tops of the 4 slices of French toast. Slide a spatula underneath the eggs and flip everything over so the buttered French toast slices are now on the bottoms of the skillets. Season with salt. Layer on top of one piece of French toast per skillet with the cheese, ham and turkey. Slide the spatula under one slice of the French toast and fold it over the other so it looks like a sandwich! Repeat with the second skillet. Transfer the skillets to the oven until the cheese melts and the centers get hot, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board and cut each in half. Serve two halves on each plate with maple syrup for drizzling and dunking.

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• On a work surface, lay out 2 slices of bread and spread with mayonnaise. Top each slice with the 1 slice of Gouda and 1 slice of turkey each. Put the third slice of bread on top of one stack, and flip the remaining stack on top, cheese-side down, to make a triple-decker sandwich.
• Using a knife, cut the crusts off the sandwich (this helps to pinch and seal the ends). Wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours. (Wrapping the sandwich in plastic wrap, compacts it, and prevents the egg batter from seeping in.)
• Combine the eggs and milk in a bowl. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Unwrap the sandwich and dip it in the egg batter, to coat evenly. Gently place it in the skillet, and fry, turning once, until golden brown and hot, about 5 minutes total.
• Cut the Monte Cristo in 1/2, transfer it to a place, and garnish with the strawberry and orange. Spoon some jam over each 1/2 and serve immediately.

FAKING IT MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Spread the mustard on the (still frozen) French toast.
• Divide the ham and turkey evenly among 6 pieces of toast and top with 2 slices of cheese.
• Top with remaining 6 slices of toast to sandwich together.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter on the top and bottom of each sandwich.
• Cook each sandwich in the skillet until brown, 2 minutes per side.
• Transfer to a baking sheet.
• Bake until the cheese is melted and the toast is heated through, about 4 minutes.

MONTE CHRISTO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and salt and set aside.
• Lay the 8 slices of bread out on a flat surface. Lay 1 slice of cheese on each slice of bread. Then on 4 slices of the bread lay 1 slice of ham. On the other 4 slices lay 1 slice of turkey. Top all 8 slices with 1 slice of Swiss. Make 4 sandwiches and coat with egg mixture.
• *Cook's Note: You may add more Swiss, turkey or ham, if desired
• In a large skillet over medium-heat melt the butter.
• Add the sandwiches to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.
• Remove the sandwiches to a sheet pan and place in the oven. Bake until the cheese has melted and the sandwiches are warm throughout, about 5 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth.
• Cut the sandwiches into quarters and serve with the cranberry syrup.

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH - THE REAL ONE

Steps:

• Heat 5 inches of oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). While oil is heating, make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper; whisk into the egg mixture until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.
• Assemble sandwiches by placing one slice of turkey on one slice of bread, a slice of ham on another, then sandwich them with the Swiss cheese in the middle. Cut sandwiches into quarters, and secure with toothpicks.
• Dip each sandwich quarter in the batter so that all sides are coated. Deep fry in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides. Remove toothpicks and arrange on a serving tray. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.