Monte Cristo Sandwiches — A Sweet and Savory Echo from the Past

It's Thursday. Monte Cristo sandwiches are an echo from the past — a melding of sweet and savory. Ham, cheddar, raspberry jam, and mustard, grilled golden. My dad loved them. Once you make one, you'll understand why.

You wouldn't think that raspberry jam and mustard would ever belong on the same sandwich. With the other flavors, it just works. And you won't find a better sandwich.

Grill It or Fry It

You have two options. To grill your Monte Cristo, dredge the sandwich through an egg mixture and cook on a hot buttered griddle until both sides are golden brown — just like French toast, but better. To fry it, dip in tempura batter and drop into a hot deep fryer until golden and crispy on both sides.

The Basics

The Monte Cristo has become a template. Stick with the basics, then let your imagination go:

• Hearty homemade bread
• Deli meat
• Cheese
• A sweet layer — jam or honey
• A spicy layer — mustard or sauce

Recipe 1: The Original Monte Cristo

Ingredients

• 8 slices hearty bread
• 3 large eggs, 2 tablespoons milk, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp dry mustard, ⅛ tsp white pepper
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 8 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
• ½ pound thinly sliced deli ham

Directions

1. Mix eggs, milk, salt, dry mustard, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
2. Spread Dijon on bread. Layer cheese, jam, ham, jam, cheese. Top with remaining bread.
3. Dip sandwiches in egg mixture. Grill in buttered pan until golden on both sides. Serve hot.

Recipe 2: Southwest Monte Cristo

Ingredients

• 8 slices Jalapeño Cheese bread
• 1 large egg, 1 cup milk, ½ cup flour
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• ½ cup mayonnaise + ½ tsp south of the border seasoning
• 8 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
• ½ pound thinly sliced deli ham

Directions

1. Whisk egg, milk, and flour together in a shallow bowl.
2. Mix mayo and seasoning; spread on bread. Layer cheese, ham, cheese, tomato. Top with remaining bread.
3. Dip and grill in buttered pan until golden. Serve hot.

Recipe 3: Honey Ham Monte Cristo

Ingredients

• 8 slices hearty bread
• 3 large eggs, 2 tablespoons milk, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp dry mustard, ⅛ tsp white pepper
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 8 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ pound thinly sliced deli ham
• Dash of dried chipotle or hot sauce (optional)

Directions

1. Mix eggs, milk, salt, dry mustard, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
2. Mix honey, mustard, and peppers together for the spread.
3. Layer cheese, honey-mustard spread, ham, spread, cheese on bread. Top with remaining bread.
4. Dip and grill in buttered pan until golden. Serve hot.

See all seven things you can make this week →