Monte Cristo Sandwich

(UPDATED: 2/24/11 I have found the AWESOME, one of a kind Bennigan's Monte Cristo Sandwich recipe: Click here for the newest version and the ONE AND ONLY Monte Cristo Sandwich we will ever make!)

My twins experienced their first Monte Cristo Sandwich at Disneyland the other day and of course wanted me to repeat that awesome experience. And well, I tried, that's all I can say! I am still in search of an easier recipe and not so time consuming (so, if any of you readers have one, please leave me a link to the recipe). This recipe will be for "special treats" only, BUT it was an OH SO GOOD sandwich.

How about using your left-over Ham & Turkey from Thanksgiving and some cranberry sauce for the jelly and creating a whole new taste for this great sandwich. (YUM!!) Friday, November 26 is "National Leftovers Day", yes seriously there are National Food Holidays for every day of the year.

Monte Cristo Sandwich

from The Loopy Ewe, Sheri

4 large eggs

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

6 tbsp Dijon mustard (we skipped the mustard)

8 slices white sandwich bread, slightly toasted

8 slices provolone or swiss cheese

4 slices cheddar cheese

8 thin slices deli ham

8 thin slices deli turkey

Raspberry Jam

Vegetable Oil

Powdered Sugar

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  Whisk eggs, cream, sugar, salt, dry mustard and cayenne in a shallow dish.  Stir jam and Dijon mustard together in another small bowl.  Spread 2 tsp of the jam mixture on 1 side of each slice of toast.

Layer on top of 1 slice of toast:

1 slice swiss/provolone

2 slices ham, 1 slice cheddar

2 slices turkey

1 slice swiss/provolone

and then top with another piece of toast, jam to the inside.

Make sure that the meat and cheese are trimmed to fit inside the bread. Press down lightly to make it all stick together.

Pour 3-5 tbps oil into a rimmed baking sheet and preheat in the oven for about 5 min. (Just until it starts smoking lightly.) While it is heating, dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, making sure it is covered with egg on the top, bottom, and all 4 sides. Set on a plate until the baking sheet is ready.  Transfer the sandwiches to the hot baking sheet when ready, and bake until golden brown on both sides (about 4-5 minutes per side.) Sprinkle each sandwich with powdered sugar and serve immediately with extra strawberry jam.

This post is linked to Flaunt it Friday, Food on Fridays, Foodie Friday

There is still time to link up your recipes for using your Thanksgiving leftovers please click here

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"