Kicked Up Monte Cristos Food

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.

MEMPHIS MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat a large griddle pan over medium heat with vegetable oil.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, sugar, salt, and cayenne until blended. Pour into an 8 by 8-inch baking pan.
• Spread some of the barbecue sauce onto each slice of bread. On 4 pieces bread, add 1 slice each of cheese, ham, and turkey, and repeat layer. Top with the other pieces of bread and press the sandwiches together with your hands. Dip into the wet batter turn to coat.
• Add the battered sandwiches to the hot griddle and cook until golden brown on 1 side. Flip and continue cooking the other side until golden. Remove to a rack-lined sheet tray. Put into the preheated oven and bake until the cheese melts, about 5 more minutes. Remove to a cutting board and slice into triangles. Dust with Neely's dry rub, if desired, and serve.

MONTE CRISTOS WITH BABY GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread 4 bread slices with the mustard and the other 4 with the preserves. Toss both cheeses in a bowl, then divide half the mixture among the mustard-covered bread. Top with the ham, then the remaining cheese and the preserves-covered bread. Press each sandwich slightly. Whisk the eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a baking dish.
• Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just starting to brown. Dip 2 sandwiches in the egg mixture, turning to coat. Let the excess drip off, then transfer to the hot skillet and cook until browned and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the sandwiches to a rack set on a baking sheet. Wipe out the skillet, add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and cook the remaining 2 sandwiches. Transfer to the rack, then transfer the baking sheet to the oven to melt the cheese completely, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss the greens with the vinegar, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Serve with the sandwiches.

MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• Preheat a griddle and deep fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Butter the griddle. Dunk the Texas toast on both sides in the French Toast Custard and grill until golden brown. Flip and add 1 slice Swiss cheese to each slice of toast. Then add 3 ounces ham on top of 6 of the toast slices, then top the ham with another slice of Swiss cheese. Top each ham and cheese toast with a cheese only toast, to form 6 sandwiches. Cook until the cheese melts, then remove from griddle and cool. Dunk the cooled sandwiches in the pancake batter until fully covered and put into the fryer. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 8 minutes. Serve with the Strawberry-Rhubarb Syrup.
• Beat the eggs well, then add the sugar and mix until emulsified and all the sugar has dissolved. Add the milk and vanilla and whisk until combined.
• Add the strawberries, rhubarb, sugar and maple syrup to a saucepot. Place over medium heat and cook until fruit is soft, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then carefully puree with a hand blender.

MONTE CRISTO OMELET SANDWICH

Steps:

• Add the eggs, 1 tablespoon water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Spread each cheese slice with 1/4 teaspoon of the Dijon and set the slices mustard-side-up on a flat surface. Put the confectioners' sugar in a small fine-mesh sieve set over a plate.
• Heat the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until melted and starting to brown around the edges of the pan. Add the egg mixture and swirl the pan to coat the bottom. Working quickly, dip 1 slice of the bread in the eggs, then flip the slice and place it so the top edge of the slice is near the edge of the pan furthest from you. Repeat with the remaining slice of bread, setting it across the pan from the first bread slice. The bottom edges of the two slices should be in a straight line, with eggs all around.
• Continue to cook the eggs until they are completely set on the bottom and mostly cooked on the top, 1 to 2 minutes more. Slide a large nonstick spatula under the bread and flip the whole omelet in one single motion. Set the cheese mustard-side up on top of the omelet, covering the bread. Lay the ham on top of one of the slices of cheese. Using the spatula, fold one side of the omelet (but not the bread side) over the cheese and ham, then fold over the other side. Fold in half so the bread slices meet and form a sandwich.
• Cook until the bread on the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is beginning to melt, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the heat if the bread begins to darken too quickly before the cheese melts. Flip and cook until the other side is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Set the sandwich on a plate and dust with the confectioners' sugar.

KICKED UP MONTE CRISTOS!

Steps:

• Place 4 pieces of bread on work surface.
• Evenly divide gouda, ham and turkey between the bread slices.
• Top with remaining 4 slices of bread, making 4 sandwiches.
• You can cut the sandwiches in half, or leave them whole. Secure with toothpicks, if necessary.
• In a shallow dish combine eggs, milk and flour. Beat well.
• Heat oil to 375º in large skillet to about 1/2 inch depth.
• Carefully dip each sandwich into egg batter, coating both sides.
• Fry sandwiches, a few at a time, about 1 minute each side, until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Meanwhile, gently heat raspberry preserves with cayenne in microwave, or small pan.
• Dust with powdered sugar and serve with warmed preserves for dipping.

ITALIAN-STYLE MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat a large griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
• Prepare the sandwiches by spreading 4 slices of the bread with preserves. Top with a slice of cheese, 2 slices of folded prosciutto, then another slice of cheese. Spread the remaining bread slices with Dijon and set in place over the cheese.
• In a large shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the milk or cream, Parmesan, and parsley. Nest the butter in a paper towel and wipe it across the hot pan. Dip the sandwiches into the egg mixture and cook the sandwiches until deep golden, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Toss the arugula with the lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a large serving bowl. Cut the sandwiches from corner to corner and serve alongside the salad.

ITALIAN MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the jam, mustard and rosemary. Lay out the slices of bread. Divide the mustard mixture evenly over the 8 slices of bread and spread almost to the edges. Put a slice of cheese on each piece of bread, followed by 2 slices of prosciutto. Put together 2 of the bread slices for each sandwich.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs. Add the heavy cream and salt and whisk to combine.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the pan and heat for 1 minute. Working with one sandwich at a time, dip both sides of the sandwich in the batter and place directly into the hot pan. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Cover with a lid and allow to cook until the first side is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lid, flip each sandwich and continue to cook on the remaining side until golden brown and the cheese is melted, approximately another 4 minutes. (Or cook in batches if needed.)
• Sprinkle one side of each sandwich with powdered sugar and serve warm.

MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• FOR THE SANDWICH:.
• Place one piece of bread on prep surface. Place Swiss cheese on bread, then ham.
• On top of second piece of bread, place turkey, and then American cheese.
• FOR THE BATTER:.
• Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
• Fry sandwich in oil until golden brown.

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• Spread bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Alternate ham, Swiss and turkey slices on bread.
• Beat egg and milk in a small bowl. Coat the sandwich with the egg and milk mixture. Heat a greased skillet over medium heat, brown the sandwich on both sides. Serve hot.

ULTIMATE MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• To make the Batter: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cayenne, and salt.
• Whisk in the club soda and beer.
• The mixture should be the consistency of pancake batter.
• Refrigerate until you're ready to use it.
• To assemble the Sandwiches: Set half of the slices buttered side down, and cover with the cheese slices, folding them over if they extend past the edges.
• Layer the ham and turkey over the cheese, and spread the jam over the turkey.
• Place the top slice of bread on, buttered side up.
• Grill the sandwiches on both sides.
• Pour the oil into a deep heavy-duty saucepan to fill it halfway.
• Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), measuring the temperature on a deep-fat thermometer.
• Cut the sandwiches on a diagonal into thirds, to make 9 triangular pieces.
• Stir the batter.
• Dip each sandwich piece into the batter, thoroughly coating it.
• Fry the pieces 2 or 3 at a time, being careful not to overcrowd them in the pan.
• Cook them for about 3 minutes on each side, until they're nicely browned, and transfer to a paper towel to drain.
• Allow the oil to come back up to temperature before you fry the next batch of sandwiches.
• Place the sandwiches on a platter.
• Sift a very heavy layer of powdered sugar over them, and serve with a side of jam.

MONTE CRISTO (COCKTAIL)

Steps:

• Pour coffee into large mug.
• Add alcohols.
• Stir.
• Top with whipped cream.

SIMPLY BAKED MONTE CRISTOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F and grease a cookie sheet.
• Layout 4 slices of bread and top each with a slice of ham, a slice of cheese and the remaining bread to make 4 sandwiches.
• In a large bowl whisk the eggs, milk, cinnamon sugar, and vanilla.
• Dip the sandwiches into the egg mixture, coating both sides, and place onto the greased cookie sheet.
• Bake 15 minutes, turn sandwiches over, and continue baking 10 more minutes.
• Dust with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry jam.