Gourmet Monte Cristo Sandwich Made at Home
Gourmet Monte Cristo Sandwich Made at Home
Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside! Master the Monte Cristo Sandwich for a Brunch Experience
Craving a restaurant-quality brunch at home? With simple sandwich bread, you can easily create a delightful Monte Cristo sandwich that’s wonderfully crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It’s like an upgraded version of a Croque Monsieur, offering a perfect sweet and savory balance with fruity jams and tangy mustard sauce. Let’s make this golden, crispy Monte Cristo sandwich together in your pan!
Monte Cristo Sandwich Ingredients- 6 slices of sandwich bread (you can use 2 different types for visual appeal)
- 8 slices of ham
- 4 slices of cheddar cheese
- 4 large eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs, enough to coat
- 2 tsp sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Strawberry jam, for spreading
- Apple jam, for spreading
- Mustard sauce, for spreading
- 1 knob of butter
- A little cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let me introduce you to all the ingredients you’ll need to create this fantastic Monte Cristo sandwich, perfect for a home brunch. This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
Step 2
Let’s get started on making the Monte Cristo sandwich! Begin by preparing 6 slices of sandwich bread. For a more visually appealing sandwich, I’m using 4 slices of yellow pumpkin bread and 2 slices of white milk bread. Feel free to mix and match your favorite bread types!
Step 3
Now, let’s assemble the sandwich layers. To create a beautiful layered effect, arrange the bread slices like this: one slice of pumpkin bread, followed by one slice of milk bread, and then another slice of pumpkin bread. Lay them out side-by-side on a clean surface like a cutting board or large plate.
Step 4
It’s time to add the jams and sauces. Starting with the leftmost slice of pumpkin bread, we’ll spread strawberry jam, followed by mustard sauce, and then apple jam.
Step 5
Generously spread the strawberry jam, mustard sauce, and apple jam onto their respective bread slices. Ensure an even coating for a balanced flavor in every bite.
Step 6
Once the jams and sauces are spread, it’s time to add the fillings. On the leftmost pumpkin bread slice (the one with strawberry jam), place 2 slices of ham, overlapping them slightly.
Step 7
Next, lay a slice of cheddar cheese directly on top of the ham slices. The cheese will melt beautifully, complementing the ham.
Step 8
Now, take the middle slice of milk bread (the one with mustard sauce) and carefully place it on top of the pumpkin bread layer with the ham and cheese.
Step 9
On top of the mustard-sauce-spread milk bread, we’ll add another layer of fillings. Place another 2 slices of ham and 1 slice of cheddar cheese.
Step 10
Finally, take the rightmost pumpkin bread slice (the one with apple jam), flip it over, and place it on top of the milk bread layer with the ham and cheese. This completes the basic 3-layer structure of our sandwich.
Step 11
Repeat this process with the remaining 3 slices of bread to create three more stacked sandwiches, making a total of 4 Monte Cristo sandwiches. Aim for neat layers for a beautiful cross-section when cut.
Step 12
Now, let’s prepare the egg wash that will make our Monte Cristo sandwiches wonderfully crispy. Crack 2 large eggs into a clean bowl.
Step 13
Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt to the eggs. The sugar adds a touch of sweetness, and the salt enhances the overall flavor profile.
Step 14
Whisk the eggs thoroughly with a fork or whisk until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved, creating a smooth egg wash. It’s important to have a lump-free mixture.
Step 15
Gently dip the assembled Monte Cristo sandwich into the egg wash. Make sure to coat both the top and bottom surfaces. Let it soak for a moment, as if it’s taking a ‘dip’!
Step 16
Ensure the egg wash coats all sides of the Monte Cristo sandwich – the top, bottom, and crucially, the sides. This coating is what helps achieve that perfect golden crispness when frying. (Note: You’ll need about 2 eggs per sandwich, so for 2 sandwiches, use 4 eggs).
Step 17
See how the sides are nicely coated with the yellow egg wash? This step is essential for creating that lovely golden exterior.
Step 18
Next, we’ll give the Monte Cristo sandwich a crunchy panko coating. Spread a generous amount of panko breadcrumbs onto a wide, flat tray or plate.
Step 19
Place the egg-washed Monte Cristo sandwich onto the bed of panko breadcrumbs.
Step 20
Gently press the sandwich into the breadcrumbs, ensuring that the top, bottom, and sides are evenly and thoroughly coated. You can use your hands to lightly press the crumbs on, making sure there are no bare spots.
Step 21
Voila! Our Monte Cristo sandwich is now beautifully coated in crispy breadcrumbs. It looks so appetizing, doesn’t it?
Step 22
Look at that perfectly panko-crusted Monte Cristo sandwich! It’s ready for its turn in the pan.
Step 23
Now it’s time to cook. Place a flat frying pan on your stovetop (gas or induction) and set the heat to medium. Once the pan is warm, add a knob of butter.
Step 24
Tilt the pan to allow the butter to melt and coat the entire surface. This will add a wonderful buttery flavor to your sandwich.
Step 25
Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, carefully place the panko-crusted Monte Cristo sandwich into the pan.
Step 26
Fry the sandwich until it’s golden brown and crispy on both sides. Keep an eye on the heat to prevent burning, and be patient for that perfect crispness.
Step 27
After cooking the top and bottom, don’t forget the sides! Carefully stand the Monte Cristo sandwich up and gently cook the edges until they are also golden and crisp. Be delicate to prevent the sandwich from falling apart.
Step 28
To ensure a consistently crispy and moist sandwich, add a little cooking oil to the pan occasionally as you cook. This helps prevent the breadcrumbs from sticking and keeps the sandwich from drying out.
Step 29
Once both sides and edges are perfectly golden brown and crisp, carefully remove the Monte Cristo sandwich from the pan and transfer it to a serving plate. It’s almost ready to enjoy!
Step 30
Time to slice and serve! Cut the Monte Cristo sandwich diagonally into manageable portions and arrange them on your plate. Slicing it while it’s still warm will reveal the wonderfully melted cheese inside. (You might even gasp at how gooey the cheese is! ^^)
Step 31
To elevate your home brunch experience, consider plating the Monte Cristo sandwich with a few round grapes on the side. Even a simple addition of fruit can make your brunch spread look much more inviting and festive!
Step 32
Now for the best part – tasting your delicious Monte Cristo sandwich! The combination of sweet strawberry and apple jams with the tangy mustard sauce is absolutely divine. Eating it warm, right after cooking, offers an incredible texture contrast: crispy outside, tender inside, with cheese that melts in your mouth. It’s especially perfect when paired with a glass of cold milk!
