What exactly is a sandwich called a Monte Cristo?
The song “Monte Cristo” is an homage to Alexander Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Christo, which was written in French. As a result, the name of the sandwich gives the impression that it originated in France. Those who study the history of food tend to agree that the Monte Cristo sandwich is a twist on the traditional French Croque Monsieur.
The classic ingredients for a Monte Cristo sandwich are smoked ham from the deli and Swiss cheese. After that, the entire sandwich gets a little coating of egg batter before being cooked. After the sandwich has been formed, toothpicks are used to keep it in place, and the batter is applied, the American tradition is to deep fry the sandwich in a deep fryer.
Ingredients:
Blackberry jam and red currant jelly are optional toppings.
Sugar for Confections, Though It Is Not Required
3 big eggs, beaten
a quarter cup of whole milk or half-and-half
1/4 pound of deli-sliced turkey, ideally oven-roasted but not required
a quarter of a pound of deli-sliced ham, preferably Black Forest or Virginia ham
3 tablespoons of butter
12 thick slices of traditional white bread
¼ cup mayonnaise
8 slivers of either Gruyere or Swiss cheese
Directions:
Eggs and milk should be mixed together in a shallow dish using a whisk.
Begin by bringing the butter to a simmer in a large skillet set over medium heat.
Put together the sandwhiches.
Place four pieces of bread on a chopping board, then place one slice of cheese on top of each piece of bread. On top of each piece of cheese, lay a quarter of the ham slice.
Take the remaining 4 slices of bread and smear about a half tablespoon’s worth of mayonnaise on one side of each of them.
After spreading another half tablespoon of mayonnaise on the other side of the bread, place it on top of the ham with the mayonnaise-covered side facing down. Repeat with the three sandwiches that are still left.
After that, place one-fourth of the turkey on top of each sandwich, followed by an additional slice of cheese on top of that.
On top of each sandwich, arrange the remaining four slices of bread.
Put some serious pressure on each sandwich, and then push them together slightly.
Putting the Sandwiches in the Dip and Cooking Them
Immediately submerge each sandwich in the egg and milk mixture that has been prepared. You want them to have a coating, but not be drowned in liquid.
Put the sandwiches and the butter on the hot skillet. Heat the skillet.
Cook the sandwiches until the cheese on the bottom halves of each sandwich has melted and the bread has a toasted appearance. Cook the other side of the sandwich by carefully turning over the sandwich.