French Toast and The Monte Cristo

French Toast 
and 
The Monte Cristo Sandwich

Breakfast, Brunch & Appetizers 

Submitted by: ChiChi

Recipe Source: Karen's Own Recipe
Keywords: breakfast brunch appetizer sandwich pancakes syrup maple karen cheese ham


French Toast Ingredients: 

8 slices Bread, Texas Toast Style
     -French Bread, sliced thick
     -Reg White or Wheat Bread
4 Eggs
     -or 2 whole + 2 whites
1/4 cup Milk
     -any fat %
4 Tbsp Real Butter 
     -or Margarine
     -or Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Pancake or Maple Syrup
Powdered Sugar Topping

Optional Variations:
1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Cinnamon and/or Nutmeg
1 Tbsp Honey or Sugar
1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

Preheat Oven to: 250 degrees

French Toast Directions:
Whisk together eggs, milk and any desired spices. Pour into a shallow dish, pie plate or pan. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Dip bread into the egg mixture on both sides. Fry 3-4 min on each side until golden brown. Repeat. 

To keep toast warm and to prevent sagging while you cook the rest of the batch, prepare a cooling rack that sets in or on top of a rimmed sheet pan. Transfer cooked pieces from the skillet to the rack and place in the preheated oven.


Additional Comments:
- French Toast Fruit Sandwich with strawberries, bananas, other fruit, apple butter, jam or preserves in the middle.  Cut in half and pour syrup on top. 

- French Toast Dippers. Cut Toast into strips to dip in the syrup

-French Toast Casserole. Prepare the night before, cook the next morning.

- Add fresh sliced strawberries on top with a dollop of whipped cream

The Monte Cristo Sandwich: 

A "Monte Cristo" is a fried ham and cheese sandwich, traditionally dipped in its entirety in egg batter and fried. It is sometimes covered in powdered sugar and served with preserves. In New England (United States), it is served with spicy French-style mustard. It derives from the French "croque-monsieur" which is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with Emmental or Gruyère cheese melted on top of the bread. A "croque-madame" has a fried or poached egg on top.

Leftovers or Appetizers!

Instead of dipping the entire sandwich in egg mixture, my version just uses the prepared French Toast with Dijon mustard. Then layer shaved deli ham and Swiss (or Gouda) cheese in between shaved turkey . Heat in the toaster oven or place under a broiler until the cold cuts are warm and cheese is melty. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with red currant jelly for a savory dish. 

For Appetizers:
Cut the sandwich into fourths and arrange on a serving tray. Add a middle layer of toast in between the ham and turkey if you want some added height. Could serve with a variety of dippers in individual sauce cups or place one bigger cup in the center of the tray. 

Jelly Sauce Service:
2/3 cup of currant jelly
1 T water
1 T half and half

Combine jelly, water and half and half in blender. Blend until smooth. Makes about 3/4 cup.

Other Jellies:
Currant Jelly
Raspberry Jam
Blackberry Jam
Strawberry Jam