French Toast For Brunch, Monte Cristos For Dinner

nancyeinhart — Fri, 28 May 2010 05:08:01 PDT

I love a salty-sweet sandwich, and the Monte Cristo is the ultimate. My first memory of the storied American sandwich was eating the batter-fried version at Bennigan's, but now I prefer the more classic version made with simple French toast.

Andrew, who shares my love of this sandwich, made French toast for Mother's Day and treated us to Monte Cristos the Monday after. The French toast had a delightful orange flavor (I think he soaked it in Grand Marnier), and we filled it with turkey, ham, and Swiss cheese. For more photos and details,

Cooked like a grilled cheese, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with a side of maple syrup, it was hands down one of the best Monte Cristos I've ever had. Like how we served it with kale in a half-hearted attempt to be healthy?

Slice of History: The Monte Cristo, From Depression to Disney

nancyeinhart — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:31:30 PST

The only vaguely French quality about a Monte Cristo is that it’s made with French toast, but for kids dining at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou restaurant, the sweet, salty, and decadent creation might as well be a croque monsieur.

Though the Monte Cristo's origins are gooey, the sandwich was likely influenced by the croque, as well as by a Depression-era dinner staple called a cheese dream and the deep-fried grilled cheeses called "Frenchees" native to Nebraska. Curious to know more about its strange history? Keep reading.

Between the Bread

French Toast For Brunch, Monte Cristos For Dinner

Slice of History: The Monte Cristo, From Depression to Disney