Such a fun and delicious meal… the monte cristo sandwich can be controversial. ย People either love it or hate it… which are you?
Who loves a monte cristo sandwich? ย Either loved or hated, this sandwich is packing some serious flavor!! ย You’ll love the mix of savory and sweet and fun presentation.
Okay, so the Monte Cristo. ย This sandwich is kind of like the cilantro of the sandwich world… people either love it, or hate it. ย My husband, definitely not a fan… but me, oh I love them! ย The balance of sweet and savory is just perfect.
If you’ve never heard of a monte cristo, it’s a classic diner type of food. ย You basically make a turkey, cheese and ham sandwich, then batter and fry it.
Once fried, it’s traditionally dusted with powdered sugar and served alongside some raspberry preserves.
Some recipes forgo the fried part, and cook it more like you would french toast… but the versions I’ve loved were fried, so I definitely wanted to heat up some oil for this one.
For a little bit of heat, I slathered some of my Habanero Beer Mustard on the sandwich before battering it. ย It may seem weird, to add mustard to something that you’ll serve with raspberry preserves… but trust me, those flavors go so perfectly. ย The mustard also helps cut the sweetness down.
For a little extra protein and yumminess, feel free to add a couple of slices of peppered bacon to the sandwich!
As far as what you could serve with this sandwich, the sky is the limit! ย I like a nice side of oven roasted fries, stick of butter rice, or some Israeli couscous salad.
If you’re intrigued by the monte cristo, I hope you give this one a try!
Recipe adapted from Six Sister’s Stuff.
Originally published on The Weary Chef, then syndicated here ๐
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 8 slices of bread
- 8 slices Swiss Cheese
- 8-12 slices turkey
- 8-12 slices ham
- Habanero Beer Mustard or favorite mustard
- 1 cup flour
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- tsp ยผ salt
- 1 cup of water
- powder sugar for dusting
- raspberry preserves for dipping
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels and top with a wire cooling rack.
- Add 1-2 inches of vegetable or canola oil to a large heavy bottomed pot over MED heat until about 350 degrees F.
- While oil is heating up, make sandwiches.
- Start with one slice of bread, slather with mustard, top with turkey, top with slices of cheese, top with ham, and finish with another slice bread slathered with mustard (mustard side down).
- To keep the sandwich from falling apart, use toothpicks to secure the corners of the sandwich.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the egg and beat with a whisk. Add in flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and water. Whisk until smooth.
- Dip secured sandwich in batter, making sure to coat all sides.
- Carefully lower sandwich into the hot oil and fry for several minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Remove sandwich from oil and place on top of the prepared cooling rack.
- Immediately before serving, dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve with raspberry preserves for dipping.
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Chef Tips
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Cheryl says
I had no idea what a monte cristo was! I canโt imagine the powdered sugar, but Iโm really excited to try it this week!
Vickie Petree says
These are superb!
Ruthie vache says
Where do you get the mustard. Im going to try making these. Hope they are as good as they look.๐
The Chunky Chef says
It’s homemade ๐ https://www.thechunkychef.com/habanero-beer-mustard/
Linda says
Could you fry these in a deep-fryer?
Amanda says
Absolutely ๐
Kristeen says
Love this recipe. So easy to make. The family loved them!
Stephanie says
This looks awesome. My hubby used to get these all the time – I’ll have to make one for him soon!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I’m all about the spicy mustard you slathered on this sandwich. I’m sure it’s a wonderful compliment to the raspberry preserves! I’d definitely order this at a restaurant!
The Chunky Chef says
Thanks so much Renee!! I think I find every excuse possible to use that spicy mustard ๐
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
I am definitely on the love team with this sandwich but I haven’t had one in years. This is going on my menu this week!
The Chunky Chef says
That’s awesome Joanie!! Hope you love this version ๐
Laura at I Heart Naptime says
Yum! I’ve never had one, and now I’m thinking I need to make this for dinner tonight!
The Chunky Chef says
Thanks Laura!! If you give it a try, I hope you love it!! ๐
TidyMom says
Drooling, even at 9am!! I bet the addition of the bacon would really blow it out of the water!
The Chunky Chef says
Thanks!! It’s definitely an awesome addition! ๐
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
These are magical!!!
The Chunky Chef says
Thanks so much Jocelyn! ๐
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I love the comparison to cilantro because honestly, that stuff tastes like soap to me but my husband can eat it no problem! This sandwich is definitely a fav or my dad’s!
The Chunky Chef says
My Mom thinks the same thing about Cilantro! I read somewhere that a good portion of the population thinks it tastes like soap… wonder if it’s some sort of genetic thing?