The Monte Cristo seems to be confused. On the one hand it is a grilled meat and cheese sandwich—nothing unusual there. Then it is dipped in egg and fried; again, not particularly groundbreaking, but… wait a minute… it’s finished with a dusting of confectioners’ (icing) sugar and served with blackberry jelly (jam)?! Insane.
I love how this sandwich really gives the finger to healthy eating in every way possible. Melted cheese, tick! Fried in butter, tick! Dusted with sugar and dipped in jelly? Tick, and indeed, tick!
Makes 1
INGREDIENTS
3 slices white bread
Butter, at room temperature
2 slices cooked ham
2 slices cooked chicken or turkey
2 slices Gouda cheese
2 eggs, beaten
Splash of milk
Confectioners’ (icing) sugar, for dusting
Blackberry jelly (jam), to serve
Take 1 slice of bread and butter it. Top with a slice of ham, a slice of chicken, and, finally, a slice of cheese. Butter a second slice of bread and add it to the sandwich, followed by the other slices of ham, chicken, and cheese. Butter the remaining slice of bread and use it to top the sandwich.
In a wide bowl, beat together the eggs with a good splash of milk. Melt some butter in a frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Dip the sandwich into the egg mixture, coating both sides, then cook the sandwich in the frying pan until golden and crisp on both sides, turning once.
Drain on paper towels, then dust the hot sandwich with confectioners’ (icing) sugar and serve with some blackberry jelly (jam).
