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posted by Amy Johnsonon December 27, 2017 (updated Dec 17, 2021) 157 comments »
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This recipe for a Monte Cristo sandwich will have you craving them morning, noon, and night. It’s an easy twist on the basic ham and cheese combination and oh so very satisfying. Plus, it’s the perfect place for leftover ham.
When you have leftover ham, you make sandwiches. At least we do. And not just any sandwich, a Monte Cristo. Yeah. That’s what I’m talking about.
If you’ve never enjoyed a Monte Cristo, well, we’ve got to change that. What is a Monte Cristo, you say? Basically, it’s just the best ham and cheese sandwich ever! And it’s so cosmopolitan-ish sounding too.
A variation of the Croque-monsieur, the Monte Cristo is made with ham, cheese, a bit of mustard, and mayonnaise, then it’s dipped in egg and cooked just like french toast. Say whaaat?!? Yep, no joke. It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? Crazy town is what it is. We’re walking on the wild side with this sandwich, people.
How to make Monte Christo sandwich?
- Place two slices of white bread on a flat surface. Spread mustard on one slice and mayonnaise on the other.
- Add thin slices of ham shredded gruyere cheese on top of the mustard and cover the cheese with the other part of the sandwich. In a nonstick pan over medium heat, add butter to melt.
- In a shallow bowl, add the eggs and whisk them until the egg whites and yolks are incorporated. Carefully dip the sandwiches in on both sides. Once the butter has been melted, fry on both sides for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown on top.
The Monte Cristo isn’t just for lunch or dinner either. Talk about a great breakfast sandwich. Sometimes the Monte Cristo is served with preserves and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, so I think breakfast is totally appropriate, don’t you? We also enjoy these sandwiches with a small bit of honey. This sandwich really does make the most perfect savory and sweet combination with a just a bit of sweet added.
Tips and variations:
- To make a Monte Christo sandwich ahead of time, fill the sandwiches with mustard, mayo, ham, and cheese, then wrap those in a foil. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Once you are ready to eat, dip the sandwiches in the egg, fry in butter and enjoy!
- You can reheat the sandwich back in the pan over low/medium heat. Or also in the microwave.
- For crunchy and golden brown outside, make sure to use a cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan and have it preheated over medium heat.
- A light dusting of sugar or a little bit of honey gives this sandwich a delicious (and easy) gourmet chef’s touch.
Of course, this sandwich is on the decadent side, so it’s not an all-the-time sort of thing. But if you plan a brunch, or have leftover ham in need of a job, give this Monte Cristo a try. I think you’ll be glad you did.
More delicious breakfast and sandwich recipes you will enjoy:
- Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
- Easy Sausage Cheese Breakfast Casserole
- Mozzarella Basil Sandwich
- Yogurt Pancakes Recipe
- Hash Brown Casserole
Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Yield: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ham and cheese never looked so good. Try this easy Monte Cristo Sandwich for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- pinches of salt and pepper
- 4 slices sturdy white bread (or white bread of preference)
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/2 pound thick sliced baked ham
- 1/2 ounce, weight shredded gruyere cheese
- additional salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Beat eggs in a shallow dish (large enough to fit a sandwich) along with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble sandwiches, with mustard, mayonnaise, ham, cheese, salt and pepper to personal preference. Slightly compress sandwich.
- Heat skillet over medium heat. Add butter; allow to melt.
- Dip and coat each sandwich in beaten egg, and place in skillet. Cook sandwiches 2-3 minutes on each side, until browned to liking and cheese has melted.
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook
Originally published January 9, 2014.
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originally published on December 27, 2017 (last updated Dec 17, 2021)
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157 comments on “Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe”
Sherry Belisle —Reply
In New England, we top it with maple syrup
Natalie —Reply
That doesn’t seem like a lot of cheese. Is it really just 1/4 ounce per sandwich?
Gwyneth —Reply
Great recipe. Made this for dinner last night and it turned out great. Do not soak the sandwich too long in the egg dip do it very quickly.
Louise Young —Reply
My Mom made these when she came back form vacation. She did not use Mayo or mustard she but pepper jelly on them.
Laura Allen —Reply
Great way to jazz up a boring ham sandwich. I used honey mustard instead of yellow. Don’t skip the powdered sugar! It makes a delicious difference!
Elizabeth —Reply
Raspberry Jam is a must for the Monte Cristo! You dip the sandwich in the jam before you take a bite!
Wesley —
Yes!! the raspberry jam is essential. So is the powdered sugar. Ive been getting them this way at the Felix cafe in Wilmington NC for several years. they do them deep fried there🤤
Marcia Britton —Reply
I love Monte Cristo sandwiches. They made them with turkey and cheese in the Walnut Room at the former Marshall Field store in Chicago. It was a treat as a young Chicagoan when my parents took me and my sister. It is now a Macy’s. I really now shop at Bergdorf Goodman now.
Kristine S —Reply
Very delicious!
PJ —Reply
Every Monte. Cristina recipe I have encountered (the best , quartered, picked , and batter dipped ,&deep fried the BEST ! & ya .there was turkey involved, ((don’t care for)). Batter dip. & df is the best!! Been doing this for 40 years. Try!!
Carla —
How do you make your batter? That is the way I like them. Do you use a pancake mix and thin it out a bit
What restaurants have these on the menu?
K ware —Reply
I put a little hot pepper jelly on mine to add some sweat heat.
Amy Johnson —
That sounds fabulous! I do love some hot pepper jelly.
Neka —Reply
Didn’t have any of that cheese in the recipe so use cheese sauce. My husband about lost his mind eating this, its really good! I also made a dipping sauce out of the ham juices. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa —Reply
I didn’t have any left over ham but used thin sliced deli roast beef with swiss and my son; who never likes anything new; fell in love with this version. He won’t eat it any other way now. 😊
Garrett —Reply
will this recipe still work well if i switch out the ham for salami and pepperoni?
Amy Johnson —
I’ve never tried that combo, Garrett, but let me know if you do.
Sheryl Mastaglio —Reply
I made this with a few changes due to what I had in my refrigerator. I used honey mustard and Santori cheese. It was delicious. I served with cranberry relish like I had served in a restaurant.
Jan —Reply
I have made this sandwich for years. I just called it a grilled cheese and ham, but nice it will be called a montie cristo
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