Monte Cristo sandwich

Monte Cristo sandwich

Monte Cristo sandwich topped with yogurt and strawberry preserves

A Monte Cristo is a fried ham and cheese sandwich. The cheese used is Emmental or Gruyère.^[1][2][3][4]

Description

The sandwich can differ regionally.^[2][5] Regional variations may include sliced turkey along with the ham and cheese. Traditionally, the sandwich is dipped in its entirety in egg batter and fried. In some regions of the United States it is served grilled, and in some regions it is served as an open sandwich with only the bread battered.^{[citation needed]} It can also be served as an open sandwich using french toast as a base, with ham, turkey and Swiss cheese piled and then heated slightly under a broiler.^[2]

The sandwich is sometimes served with fresh fruit or with clotted cream or sour cream on the side, less often with fruit preserves, powdered sugar, maple syrup, or sweet or spicy mustard sauce instead. Monte Cristos may, more recently and infrequently, be served with a dusting of powdered sugar. In most regions, the sandwich is savory rather than sweet. It can be served with Thousand Island dressing; this particular variation is often referred to as "Cumberland Head style."^{[citation needed]}

Origins

The Monte Cristo is a variation of the French croque-monsieur. In the 1930s–1960s, American cookbooks had recipes for this sandwich under such names as French Sandwich, Toasted Ham Sandwich, and French Toasted Cheese Sandwich.^[2]

See also

• French toast
• Reuben Sandwich
• Croque-monsieur
• New York cuisine
• Grilled cheese
• Cheese dream
• List of sandwiches

References

1. ^ Stall, Sam; Lou Harry and Julia Spalding (2004). "The Monte Cristo Sandwich". The Encyclopedia Of Guilty Pleasures: 1,001 Thing You Hate To Love. Philadelphia: Quirk Books. p. 179. ISBN 1-931686-54-8. OCLC 57123463. http://books.google.com/books?id=LqaOE25UiMsC&printsec=frontcover&cad=0#PPA179,M1. Retrieved 2009-01-19. ^{[unreliable source?]}
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Stradley, Linda. "History of Monte Cristo Sandwich". What's Cooking America. http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Sandwiches/MonteCristoSandwich.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
3. ^ "Wisegeek: What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?". http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-monte-cristo-sandwich.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
4. ^ "LoveToKnow.com: Monte Cristo Sandwich". http://recipes.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Monte_Cristo_Sandwich. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
5. ^ "Food Timeline FAQs: sandwiches". http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsandwiches.html#montecristo. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 

External links

• Monte Cristo Photos at Semicultured.com