Monte Cristo Recipe

An absolutely delicious ‘ treat yourself’ snack. Here a simple ham and cheese sandwich is coated in a yummy batter, that gives it a fluffy crust and a gooey inside. Served with powdered sugar and preserves, it is devlishly yummy!

The Recipe Introduction has more information and Video with voiceover. Check it out.

This recipe makes 3 sandwiches, and a fourth sandwich with a slightlyless batter for the crust.

Ingredients:

Sandwich Bread		8 sturdy,  large square slices
Natural Cheese  - ( Usually swiss cheese is used, but you can use your favorite )		8 slices
Sandwich/Picnic Ham ( 3 slices per sandwich.  Ham, Turkey, Chicken or a combination) I use all chicken		12 square slices
Oil for frying		As needed;
Icing Sugar and Raspberry Preserves, for serving		As Required

For the Batter:

All purpose flour		1 cup
Baking powder		2 tsp
Eggs		2
Light brown sugar		1 1/2 Tbsp
Buttermilk		3/4 cup
Ground nutmeg		1/8 tsp
Salt		1 tsp

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients for the batter to a bowl and whisk, till you get a smooth, thick batter. Set aside.
2. For each sandwich, place one slice of cheese of the bottom slice of bread followed by three sandwich ham slices and then another slice of cheese. Complete the sandwich with the second slice of bread. So it’s [ Bread → Cheese → Ham(x3) → Cheese → Bread ], in that order.
3. To secure the sandwiches, we must insert toothpicks at an angle on 3 or 4 corners, so that the pick, does stick out too much.
4. Heat oil for frying, before dipping the sandwiches in the batter.
5. Gently, place the sandwich in the batter to coat completely. Lift and place on a wire rack briefly to allow some of the excess batter to drip back into the bowl. Dont leave this too long or the sandwich will become soggy.
6. On medium heat, fry the sandwich on both sides as well as the narrow edges. This does not take very long. The sandwiches will puff up nicely because of the batter. I like mine golden brown.
7. Remove and place on absorbant paper for a minute and then serve.
8. To serve, cut each sandwich into 4 small triangles, sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top and serve some rasberry preserve on the side ( Heated up..)
9. Enjoy them while they are warm. They also reheat well in the oven.

Monte Cristo Recipe

Notes:

• Although any bread can be used, sturdy large white sandwich slices are prefereed for this recipe.
• The sugar and nutmeg in the batter must not be omitted. It leaves the crust feeling like something is missing.
• Use sunflower oil, corn oil or vegetable oil for frying. Some recipes call for vegetable shortening also.

Key Ingredients: Bread, Sandwich Ham, Cheese, Flour, Egg, Oil, Salt, Sugar, Buttermilk, Baking Powder.

EAT AND TELL!!!

Let us know if you tried –  Monte Cristo Recipe