The breakfast grilled cheese sandwich with maple syrup reminded me of the monte cristo and that was the perfect excuse to make some monte cristo sandwiches and update the photos on this recipe! A monte cristo sandwich is essentially a ham and cheese sandwich that is cooked french toast style where it is dipped in an egg based batter and then fried until golden brown. This sandwich is commonly served with maple syrup or with powdered sugar and jam for dipping and it truely is a great example of sweet and savoury working well together. Breakfast is the perfect time to enjoy a monte cristo but they also go well for lunch or even dinner. You can easily keep things interesting by changing up the cheese, meat and jam so you will never get tired of monte cristo’s.
Monte Cristo
A grilled ham and cheese sandwich cooked French toast style covered in an eggy batter, friend until golden brown and served with maple syrup or jam.
ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 1 cup cheese, grated
- 3 slices honey ham
- 2 teaspoons mustard (optional)
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons butter
directions
- Place two slices of bread down, top with half the cheese followed by the ham, mustard and the remaining half of the cheese and finally the remaining slices of bread.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and melt a bit of butter in it.
- Meanwhile, mix the eggs, milk and vanilla and dip the sandwiches into the mixture to coat both sides.
- Place the sandwiches into the heated pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2-4 minutes per side.
- Serve topped with maple syrup or with powdered sugar and jam.
hmmm… this is one of my favorite sandwiches, and yours look delicious!
I had no idea a Mone Christo was so simple!
Your jam looks perfect!
Oh boy! I’d forgotten how much I like a good Monte Cristo. I can almost taste it already.
You have inspired me to try this…it looks absolutely fabulous! :o)
Okay, I tried this sandwich for lunch today and it was absolutely delicious! I’m never had a Monte Cristo before…the flavors just are perfect! I’m not much of a cook so that fact that it came out for me is so exciting! I can’t wait to make this for my husband tomorrow! :o)
Thanks for a great single-serving recipe!
As a french toast lover, I thought I invented something new when I added ham and swiss and made sandwiches using french toast. I used maple syrup and grape jelly.
It amazed me when I made it for a friend, and he said “oh, it’s a Monte Cristo”.
Never tried it with chicken or turkey, but I’ll give it a try sometime.
Wow – they do strange things to sandwiches in Toronto.
The classic Monte Cristo here in BC is ham AND turkey with mozzerella cheese.
The bread is dipped in egg and fried in butter while the meat is heated on a grill or frypan. When ready, the meat and cheese is put into the bread and the whole sandwich is fried until the cheese melts. It is then served with french fries – not jam.
I've never heard of a Monte Cristo sandwich, sounds good!
I made these last week to surprise my husband who was working for home! I made it savory by adding grilled onions to the turkey, provolone and an extra bonus…bacon pieces 🙂 I also put the jam in between the slices of turkey. The sandwich in your picture looks yummy!!!
oh my! I had a brainstorm while looking at your site, which I love by the way. You should make a tomato soup that is like a grilled cheese tomato soupy goodness/with the idea of a french onion soup. Does that make any sense? yum.
Oh wow, I've never actually made a Monte Cristo sandwich before but this looks divine!! I don't have any ham in the house so I think I'll make this with pastrami!! Mmmmm.
I'm used to using both ham and turkey; then serving with mint jelly on the side followed by a small serving of lime sherbert for dessert.
I think the Monte Cristo is not only easy to prepare, but the most delicious sandwich I've tasted.
Also, I've used both swiss cheese and white cheddar cheese – both are excellent as a variation.
Putting a bit of powdered sugar on the top – then mixing equal parts of maple syrup and orange blossom honey to lightly spill over the finished sandwich – then putting a 'dab' of mint jelly onto the next bite you're ready to take, is kind of a special ritual and oh so pleasant. Served with chilled white wine or champagne and some fresh strawberries added to melon and grapes in a dish, you've got a meal that will keep you smiling for hours…………….;-)
Oh my god. My arteries! Just looking at it!
sixtyfivealive: You definitely have the monte cristo down!
I love your sandwich recipes! Not only do they contain the four basic food groups, at any given time…they are scrumptious! LOVE THESE!
Breakfast it is Kevin!
Oh my! Oh yum! Oh….
I have one a month at a local breakfast/lunch place. Love it. they think i am strange when I say no fries and syrup.
My mom used to make these, it's been years! Looks great!
I love monte cristos, but I have never made one at home. Will definitely be trying this one out!
A real Monte Cristo isnt pan fried in egg batter!!!!! A REAL Monte Cristo is battered in its entirety and deep fried. Seriously? This thing is french toast, not a Monte Cristo!!! Yuck!!
Looks like an awesome contender for national grilled cheese month! Yummmm..
I'm looking at Monte Cristo recipes, and the variation is considerable. And serving it with jam or other sweet sauce isn't something I've seen in Canada.
Tim Gueguen: I enjoy it with maple syrup or jam!
You have a real kick ass good site. Keep it up