Recipe for Monte Cristo with a Twist-O

While traveling with our kids in France, our family had our first bites of the famous Croque Monsieur sandwich. This delicious morsel is a standard on the menu of many French cafes and has made its way to America because of its popularity abroad. Somewhere along the way it was renamed the Monte Cristo sandwich in the United States. Regardless of what you call it, this delicious sandwich is loved by many around the world. As an homage to the original, I came up with this unique variation on the classic sandwich melt. I call my recipe the Monte Cristo with a Twist-O.

Yes, I know the name is cute. The name fits because there are a few surprises tucked inside my version of the classic melty goodness of the Monte Cristo. This recipe for Monte Cristo has a bite to it because of a few special ingredients. Starting with sweet Hawaiian bread wraps the whole sandwich in that distinctive flavor our family loves. Homemade bacon jam gives it some sweetness and spice, pickled jalapeños bring it snap, and substituting salty pieces of bacon for the traditional ham lend some texture.

Perhaps our friends in France are turning in their graves as I mess with their beloved Croque Monsieur recipe. But our family loves my version, and here is our recipe for Monte Cristo with a Twist-O.

Recipe for Monte Cristo Sandwich

We’re huge fans of sweet Hawaiian bread, and buy it regularly for lunches, toast and more. This melted sandwich itself is a little decadent – soaked in egg batter and then fried to a crispy golden outside. Inside, the cheese gets all melty and the egg mixture turns all custardy. Mmmmmmmmm yum – perfect for any meal.

In addition to the Hawaiian bread, another key ingredient is my homemade bacon jam. Salty, sweet and tangy, this bacon jam is highly addictive. Consider yourself warned.

Ingredients

(Makes two sandwiches)

4 slices King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Sliced Bread (or other sweet bread loaf)
4-6 pieces cooked bacon
2 Tablespoons bacon jam (see my recipe for bacon jam here)
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
8 round slices pickled jalapeño
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons heavy cream
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons butter

The bacon jam and the jalapeños give it a little kick

Instructions to make our recipe for Monte Cristo with a Twist-O

Place 4 slices of bread on a flat surface. Spread mustard evenly on two slices, and spread mayonnaise evenly on the two others.
Place 2-3 pieces of cooked bacon on the mayonnaise-topped bread slices, making sure to cover the surface.
Top the bacon with 2/3 of the grated cheese and then lay 3-4 slices of jalapeño on top of the cheese.
On the bread slices with mustard, spread 1 tablespoon bacon jam evenly across on each slice. Carefully put the two slices together to form a sandwich and press down softly to combine.
These melted sandwiches both look good and taste good!
In a large flat bowl or baking dish, scramble the eggs, cream, salt and pepper.
Dip each sandwich in the egg batter, allowing to soak for 1-2 minutes before turning over to get the other side.
Mmmmm all melty on the inside and crispy on the outside
In a large skillet or non-stick pan, melt butter on medium heat. Place each sandwich carefully in the pan and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip the sandwich over and repeat to cook the other side for 3-4 minutes.
Remove from heat, slice diagonally and serve immediately.