Classic Monte Cristo Sandwich

This Monte Cristo sandwich is a classic French toast-style sandwich. Now you don't have to wait for a trip to a local diner to get your craving fulfilled. You can make your own. The sandwich filling is a combination of sliced ham, turkey or chicken, and cheese, along with mustard or mayonnaise. The assembled sandwich is battered in an egg mixture and then it's browned on both sides.

You can use sliced, boiled or baked deli ham and turkey or leftover sliced ham in the sandwich. While the classic cheese is Gruyère or Swiss, feel free to try other favorites such as havarti cheese. The bread should be a sturdier sandwich bread with even slices and same sized pieces. Presliced white bread will work, just don't overfill your sandwich. Choose whatever mustard you like best. Dijon is, of course, the classic for this sandwich, but you could opt for a more grainy mustard, honey mustard, or any combination of mustards. 

For a more complete meal, serve this sandwich with a cup of tomato soup or a fresh, bright green salad. You'll want a slightly acidic dressing to balance the richness of the sandwich. Or serve the sandwich as is or alongside a handful of potato chips. If you have leftover sandwiches, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator. The Monte Cristo can be reheated in a warm oven (be sure to place it on a baking sheet since the cheese will likely melt and drip) or in a hot pan on the stove. ​