The Best Cheeses For A Monte Cristo Sandwich

The Monte Cristo sandwich is a sweet and savoury combination of meat, cheese, and French toast. It is a variation of the French Croque Monsieur, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. The Monte Cristo is made with ham, turkey, and cheese, and is then coated in an egg batter and fried. The sandwich is typically dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam or jelly on the side for dipping.

The type of cheese used in a Monte Cristo sandwich can vary, but it is typically a Swiss-style cheese such as Swiss, Gruyère, Emmental, or Jarlsberg. The cheese is used to add a salty, nutty flavour to the sandwich and to help hold all the ingredients together as it melts.

Gruyere cheese

Gruyere is the traditional cheese used in a French Croque Monsieur, the origin of the Monte Cristo sandwich. It is also the cheese of choice for an authentic Monte Cristo, as created by Disneyland, California, when they put the sandwich on the menu of their Blue Bayou restaurant in 1966.

When making a Monte Cristo, it is important to start and finish with the cheese. This helps the sandwich meld together and ensures all the ingredients stick together.

Swiss cheese

When selecting Swiss cheese for your Monte Cristo, it is important to note that not all Swiss cheeses are created equal. "Swiss cheese" in America is a broad term that includes hundreds of Swiss cheeses, many of which are imitations of Emmental Swiss cheese from Switzerland. American Swiss cheese is made from pasteurized milk and is less flavourful than its European counterpart. For the best Monte Cristo, opt for real Swiss cheese, specifically Gruyère, which is a semi-hard, pale yellow cheese made from whole milk. It has a slightly sweet and salty taste, with a creamy, nutty flavour that cuts through the richness of the sandwich.

When purchasing Gruyère, look for an 8 oz block in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store, or ask for it at the deli counter and request thin slices.

When assembling your Monte Cristo, it is important to start and end with cheese. This ensures that the sandwich stays together and creates a melty glue that holds all the components together.

Provolone cheese

The Monte Cristo is believed to have originated in the 1930s as a variation of the French Croque Monsieur. It is traditionally made with ham, turkey, and cheese, sandwiched between slices of French toast. The sandwich is then dipped in an egg mixture and fried.

Provolone is a great choice for a Monte Cristo as it melts well and has a mild, slightly sweet flavour that complements the other ingredients. When making a Monte Cristo with provolone, it is best to use sliced provolone cheese, which can be layered between the meat and bread.

• Ingredients: 4 slices of white bread, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1/4 pound of sliced deli ham, 1/4 pound of sliced deli turkey, and 4 slices of provolone cheese.
• Directions: Spread mayonnaise or mustard on one side of each slice of bread. Layer one slice of cheese, half the ham, half the turkey, and then another slice of cheese. Add the second slice of bread, spread with mayonnaise or mustard. Dip each side of the sandwich in an egg wash and cook in a skillet until browned and the cheese is melted.
• Serving: Dust with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry or strawberry jam on the side.

Dijon mustard

When making a Monte Cristo sandwich, it is important to use real mayonnaise rather than Miracle Whip, as this provides the best flavour. The mayonnaise also adds moisture to the sandwich, preventing the bread from becoming too dry.

Raspberry jam

The Monte Cristo is a variation of the Croque-Monsieur, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. The Monte Cristo is made with ham, cheese, mustard, and mayonnaise, and is then dipped in egg and cooked like French toast. It is often served with a dusting of powdered sugar and raspberry jam on the side for dipping.

The classic sandwich features deli meat and cheese with raspberry jam on bread that is dipped into an egg mixture. The raspberry jam adds a tart sweetness to balance out the savoury flavours.

Some recipes suggest spreading a thin layer of raspberry jam on the bread before assembling the sandwich. The Monte Cristo is then cooked in a skillet until the bread is browned and the cheese melted.

The sandwich is often served with a small bowl of warmed jam on the side for dipping. As you eat the sandwich, you can either drizzle the jam over the top or dip each bite into the bowl.

Frequently asked questions