Monte Cristo come to Momma!

A Monte Cristo sandwich is one of life's sweet surprises! This is a big kids grilled ham and cheese that brings a smile to my face. I have had it described to me as a funnel cake meets a grilled cheese. I had completely forgotten about this sandwich until this week. I was doing a photo session in the wind and drizzle. We decided to warm up at a little sports bar. I had this ultimate breakfast meets lunch sandwich. I decided that I can make this at home. I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by making this sandwich. I thought it would be a lot of work. WRONG!!!!! This was so easy to make! It was a hit with the kids and I even brought some up to my husbands coworkers and they liked it too!

Monte Cristo:

1/2 quart vegetable oil
2/3 cup half and half
1 egg
2/3 cup flour
1 2/3 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 slices white bread, crusts cut off
8 slices of sliced turkey
8 slices of honey ham
4 slices of Swiss cheese
1/8 teaspoon pepper
butter, spray or stick
confectioners' sugar
strawberry jam

Heat the oil in a pan over medium high heat. You want the temperature of the pan to be at 365 degrees. In a medium sized bowl beat the egg and half and half until they are mixed nicely. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper to the mix and beat until smooth. Lay out your bread slices and cut off the crusts. Spray or spread your butter over each slice of bread. On one slice lay out the two slices of turkey and do the same on the other slice with your ham. Top the ham side with the Swiss cheese and place on top of the turkey slice. Dip each side of the sandwich into the batter mix. Place the messy batter coated sandwich into your hot oil and watch it cook. Flip the sandwich over when you see that it is nice and brown. Cook the other side and place on a plate covered with a paper towel. When you are ready to plate the food cut the sandwich in quarters, sprinkle with confectioners sugar and place on the plate. I like to place a little dab of strawberry jam next to my sandwich. The flavor of the jam compliments the sandwich nicely!

Enjoy,