Christmas
by: thirschfeld
December6,2010
4
4 Ratings
- Makes 2
Jump to Recipe
Author Notes
I posted a breakfast picture on FB the other day and a friend posted back how much she loved a Monte Cristo she had recently eaten. Well not one to let an idea go to waste here is my take on what is an awesome sandwich. What is great is 9 times out of 10 you will have some form of the ingredients. Originally a Monte Cristo was a ham and turkey with Swiss cheese on white bread that is made like French toast and deep fried then served with maple syrup. I did this one a little different because who wants to deep fry them. These also hold really well in the oven while you finish cooking the others on the stove top so you can make lots of them and everyone can eat at the same time. The syrup is all that and a bag of chips. I already see it topping some pork chops. - thirschfeld —thirschfeld
Test Kitchen Notes
These elegant sandwiches were a total hit at brunch. I thought the flipping and dipping would be complicated and messy, but it was a cinch! The sandwiches came together in a flash, and I kept the finished ones in a warm oven as recommended – I think it made them even more delicious and melty. The egg white and panko coating turned out beautifully and added an unexpected crunch. As thirshfeld says, the syrup is to die for. The rosemary in particular does a lot to bridge the sweet-savory gap. A note: I made a double recipe and hardly made a dent in the egg whites. You could probably just whip up one and save the rest for something else. —UhOhSarah
- Test Kitchen-Approved
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoonsfresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/8 teaspoonorange zest
- 1/4 teaspoonfresh rosemary, very finely minced
- 1/2 cuppure maple syrup
- fresh ground black pepper
- 4 slices of brioche
- 6 thin slices of ham, turkey or both, cut to fit the bread
- 3/4 cupgruyere cheese, grated
- 2 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoonshalf and half
- 2 egg whites, whipped until stiff
- 1 cuppanko bread crumbs
- 1 to 2 tablespoonsunsalted butter
Directions
- In a small sauce pan combine the orange juice, zest, rosemary, maple syrup and pepper. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
- Make two ham and cheese sandwiches with the bread, cheese and ham.
- Combine the cream and the egg yolks in a flat container and whisk them together. Place the panko crumbs on a plate.
- Dip one side of each sandwich into the egg yolk mixture and let it soak up some of the liquid. Flip the sandwich to soak the other side.
- While it is soaking spread an even layer of the egg white across the top of the sandwiches and sprinkle with panko.
- Turn the sandwiches out onto the panko, panko side down. Coat the uncoated side of the sandwich with egg white and then flip it again.
- Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat and melt the butter in the pan. When it is bubbling add the sandwiches. Brown slowly so the interior gets warm and melty. Flip and brown the other side. Cut the sandwiches in half and plate them. Serve with hot syrup on the side.
- As you can see it would be easy to make these in larger quantities. Heat the oven to 250 and brown them a little faster, put them on a sheet tray and let the oven finish cooking them while you are onto making other sandwiches.
Tags:
- Sandwich
- French
- Cheese
- Pork
- Grains
- Maple Syrup
- Orange
- Orange Juice
- Rosemary
- Fall
- Winter
- Christmas
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21 Reviews
dazed'n G. April 14, 2012
WOW! We just made these for friends who were passing through town and stopped in for lunch. This is a definite do again, and again...... With the 4 of us there were 10 thumbs up. If I had said I'd make these again for supper, they would have been tempted to stay over. Great recipe
DoreenMorg November 24, 2011
Two words for this recipe, TRY IT. These sandwiches were amazing. Even my "I don't like maple syrup" daughter loved the syrup. The rosemary infuses a wonderful flavor and I know I'll be making that again for other meals. The only difference I used was challah versus brioche based on availability at our Shop Rite. I'm not sure how that changes the texture of the sandwich, but these were moist and creamy on the inside and crunchy and perfect on the outside. Thanks so much for sharing!
inthebow July 4, 2011
I just made this for breakfast. It was wonderful! They have the most fantastic crust on them. The syrup was perfect on them too!
kitch -. December 24, 2010
wow sounds great! can't wait to try this
Table9 December 9, 2010
This looks delicious. Wonderful idea!
cheese1227 December 7, 2010
I need an open morning to make these.
thirschfeld December 8, 2010
or afternoon or evening. Really should give these a try.
Kayb December 7, 2010
Love the egg-white-and-panko idea -- great finish to an already great sandwich!
thirschfeld December 7, 2010
It gives it a great crunch
MrsWheelbarrow December 6, 2010
Yum.
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Thanks mrslarkin. Have you started celebrating Festuvis? I LOLed when I read
your headnote and I think you are right something does need to be done about Tuesdays
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Well that comment shouldn't have gone there. Thank you MrsWheelbarrow.
iuzzini December 6, 2010
aaaaaah! I was so in the mood for this yesterday, but I couldn't think of what they were called. I kept thinking Croque Madame. I can't wait to try this. Mmmmm.
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Isn't a croque Madame a monsieur made with turkey? All three fall into my category of great sandwiches
Loves F. December 8, 2010
Croque Madame has an egg on top!
thirschfeld December 8, 2010
I guess of have seen them all kinds of ways. Bechemel with fried egg called a Madame by Thomas Keller, Jaque Pepin making one with chicken instead of ham called it a Madame but you are right Loves Food, traditionally, a Madame has the fried egg but I also think the Monsieur is served with bechemel and no egg. I will take one of each I think.
sioden March 7, 2013
Actually a croque monsieur is made with ham and bechamel and cheese on the outside, whilst a croque madame is the same with a fried egg on top!
Daphne December 6, 2010
I get my daughters home for a week this year at Christmastime, so, if we don't make these on Christmas morning we will for sure try them for another meal; breakfast, lunch or dinner! Thank you!
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Thank you and I hope you get to make it. It truly is yummy.
aargersi December 6, 2010
THirsch strikes again! BIG yum on these ... great idea!!!!
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
This was so good. I had a totally different pic in my mind but I couldn't stop eating it.
