Old Style Monte Cristo
This Monte Cristo recipe uses old style mustard for deep flavor and raspberry jam for sweetness in every bite.
Equipment
- Cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan
- Sheet pan
Ingredients
For egg mixture
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk (of your choice)
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
For sandwiches
- 4 slices white bread
- 2 teaspoons old style mustard
- 2 teaspoons raspberry jam
- Salt and pepper
- 2 slices gruyere cheese
- 4 slices Swiss cheese, divided
- 4 slices deli-style ham
- 1 tablespoon butter (for pan)
For serving (optional)
- Raspberry jam
- Powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients for the egg mixture in a shallow, wide bowl. Set aside.
- Make the sandwiches. Lay out your bread slices. Divide 2 teaspoons of mustard for two slices and the 2 teaspoons of raspberry jam to the other two slices. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the mustard slices.
- For each mustard covered bread slice, place the following: 1 slice of gruyere, 1 slice of Swiss cheese, 2 slices of ham, 1 slice of Swiss cheese. Lay the raspberry jam covered bread slices over the layered sandwich centers.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F or 205°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Heat a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet. Place the tablespoon of butter in the pan and allow it to melt and bubble.
- Carefully dip both sides of each sandwich in the egg mixture for 5 seconds on each side, firmly holding the layers in place.
- Place the sandwiches in the pan. After 3-4 minutes, use a spatula to lightly lift the bottom of one sandwich, checking for browning. If it’s browned (like a French toast), use the bottom spatula and another spatula on top of the sandwiches to flip them quickly, firmly holding the layers in place. Using a spatula, press down on the top of the sandwiches for a few seconds.
- After 3-4 minutes, check for browning again. When they’re done, transfer the sandwiches to the baking sheet and place in the oven for 5-10 minutes, checking every minute or so for fully melted cheese or your preferred doneness.
- When the sandwiches are to your liking, serve each one sliced in half diagonally, preferably with a dollop of jam on the side and topped with sifted powdered sugar.