Sunday Brunch: Monte Cristo

Ingredients (Makes 2 Sandwiches)

For the Sandwiches

• 6 slices sourdough, brioche, or challah bread
• 4 tbsp. butter, softened
• 4 tbsp. mayo
• 4 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• Raspberry jam
• 8 thin slices Gruyere cheese
• 4 thin slices of favorite deli turkey
• 8 thin slices of favorite deli ham
• Extra butter and a little canola oil for pan frying
• Powdered sugar, raspberry jam, and or maple syrup for serving

For the Batter

• 2 lg. eggs
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• ¼ tsp. vanilla
• ¼ tsp. cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch kosher salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix the mayo and mustard and set aside.
2. To assemble 2 sandwiches at the same time:
   1. Place 2 slices of bread on a cutting board.
   2. Lightly butter each slice of bread and then flip over so the buttered side is down.
   3. Spread some of the mayo mixture over each slice of bread and then top with 2 slices of cheese and 2 slices of turkey on each slice of bread.
   4. Bring over 2 more slices of bread and coat each with some raspberry jam.
   5. Place these slices, jam side down, on top of the ham.
   6. Spread the top side of the new slices of bread with more of the mayo mixture.
   7. Top with 4 slices of turkey followed by 2 more slices of cheese on each sandwich.
   8. Bring over the last 2 slices of bread and coat each one with the last of the mayo mixture.
   9. Place these mayo side down on top of the cheese.
   10. Spread the last of the butter on the top side of each sandwich. At this point the sandwiches are completely assembled.
3. Place some parchment or plastic wrap over one of the sandwiches and place a heavy cast iron skillet, or another pan weighed down by some cans of food to compress the sandwich for about 5 minutes.
4. As the sandwich is compressing, preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat. You can also use an electric griddle warmed to 350, which allow you to cook both sandwiches at the same time.
5. Make the batter by whisking together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl.
6. Melt a little butter and oil in the warming pan. Dip the flattened sandwich on both sides in the batter mix. Transfer to the pan and cook 4 minutes per side or until the sandwich is golden and the cheese is melty.
7. As the sandwich cooks, flatten the second sandwich using the same method as before. If you are using an electric griddle, make sure both sandwiches are flattened before cooking.
8. Cut the sandwiches cross-wise and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, along with some raspberry jam or maple syrup for dipping. Enjoy!