Monte Cristo Sandwich

Rita~'s Note:

A great brunch item! One of my husbands favorite filling, baked, french toast style, sandwiches filled with cheese, ham, turkey & mustard. Raspberry preserves is a must for him. Could be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is a LESSER FAT Monte Cristo recipe being baked and not fried full of flavor! I also like to buy the low salt cold cuts or use fresh baked turkey leftovers sliced thin.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 8 slices bread (I use challah)
• 4 teaspoons honey dijon mustard
• 8 slices thin deli sliced swiss cheese
• 8 slices thin deli ham
• 8 slices thin deli sliced turkey (I like smoked)
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons milk (low fat to try to keep it low in fat!)
• powdered sugar , for dusting
• raspberry preserves , for dipping

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425°F.
2. Lightly butter a baking sheet pan. I use the spray.
3. Spread 1/2 teaspoon mustard on each slice of bread.
4. Layer between mustard sides of two slices of bread, 1 slice cheese, 2 slices ham, 2 slices turkey, and another slice of cheese.
5. Repeat to make four sandwiches. Whisk eggs, flour, butter, salt and pepper in a shallow dish until smooth.
6. Blend in milk.
7. DIP both sides of sandwiches into egg mixture until bread is lightly soaked.
8. Place on baking sheet; drizzle any remaining egg mixture over top of sandwiches.
9. Bake 8-10 minutes until bottom is golden brown.
10. Turn with wide spatula and continue baking 8-10 minutes or until second side is golden brown.
11. Serve warm dusted with powdered sugar and dip or spread raspberry preserves on sandwiches.
12. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Reviews

[SarasotaCook]

A friend just asked me how to make a Monte Cristo, and I said I have a great baked recipe. I looked this up and realized I never reviewed it. I did pass the recipe on to her with a link and hope she makes it. It was delicious.

So my review. I love challah bread for this. Whole wheat for me, just doesn't work well. I loved the mustard, I used a a honey mustard which was really good. And definitely the jam. The raspberry jam is key and powdered sugar. That makes the dish. I used a roasted turkey and baked ham from the deli, so good meats really play an important roll. And I used baby swiss, it is just so sweet and mild.

Turned out perfect and wouldn't change a thing. I lined mine baking sheet with parchment and nothing stuck. It was easy and wonderful. I cut mine in quarters and served it family style with a big salad with dried fruit and a citrus dressing and a creamy potato/leek soup for dinner.

thx for a great classic!

[EB212]

Delicious! Baking the Monte Cristo instead of frying was great, it came out golden brown and crisp on the outside. I made the honey dijon by combining honey and mustard.

[**Sierra**]

I made this today and it was my first time eating a Monte Cristo. It was very good. I didn't have any raspberry preserves, so I dipped it in boysenberry syrup. I don't normally like sweet/savory combinations or things like bacon dipped in syrup, but it was very good. Will definitely make again!