Monte Cristo Sandwich

Favorite Restaurant Sandwich Recipe


There is no more popular a sandwich at the restaurant than the Monte Cristo Sandwich. It is a favorite restaurant recipe at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This restaurant recipe uses thick egg bread rather than white bread since that variation is what the guests prefer.

The sandwich is also dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam or preserves as was done originally.

Many people think this sandwich is actually a variation of a grilled cheese sandwich that used Gruyere cheese and lean ham between two slices of crust-less bread, fried in clarified butter.

That sandwich was served at a Paris cafe about 1910. It was, and still is, called "Croque Monsieur."

Somehow the original French sandwich was modified by Americans from the 1930's into the 1950's and has become known as the Monte Cristo.

Regardless of its origins or modifications, this restaurant recipe creates one of the best-selling, most popular sandwiches ever.


Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

Favorite Restaurant Sandwich Recipe


Preparation time: 20 minutes. Makes 1 sandwich.

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 slices of thick egg bread (or your choice)
  • 2 ounces of thin sliced turkey
  • 2 ounces of thin sliced ham
  • 2 slices of quality Swiss cheese
  • Softened butter
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • Powdered sugar

 

Instructions:

  • Butter one side of two pieces of bread with softened butter and two sides of the third piece (the middle slice)
  • Lay the first slice of bread down with the buttered side up
  • Place 1 slice of cheese on the buttered side of this piece of bread
  • Place 2 ounces of thin sliced turkey on the cheese
  • Next place the piece of bread that is buttered on both sides on top of the turkey and then place 2 ounces of thin sliced ham on that piece of bread and then another slice of Swiss cheese on the ham
  • Finally place the third slice of bread, buttered side down on top of the second piece of cheese
  • Trim the crust from the sandwich with a sharp serrated knife
  • Cut the sandwich from one corner to the other so that you have two triangular pieces of the sandwich
  • Dip each portion of the sandwich in the beaten egg and place each piece on a hot grill
  • Grill ALL sides of the sandwich pieces until golden brown
  • Remove from the grill and dust each part of the sandwich with powdered sugar
  • Plate the sandwich and serve with jam or preserves

It is best to store the sandwich in the refrigerator with a weight on it for a few hours before cooking because it will hold together better on the grill.





Enjoy your real restaurant recipe for a Monte Cristo Sandwich, the company of those you share it with. It truly is a favorite restaurant recipe.  And thanks for visiting!

Donna


Did you know? In the 1930s–1960s, American cookbooks had recipes for this sandwich, under such names as French Sandwich, Toasted Ham Sandwich, and French Toasted Cheese Sandwich.