Blackstone Monte Cristo Sandwich

By Todd Martin June 29, 2024 5 mins read 176 Views

Transform your leftover baked or smoked ham into a gourmet experience with this easy Blackstone Monte Cristo sandwich recipe!

This classic sandwich gets a smoky upgrade with double-smoked ham and the magic of a Blackstone griddle. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack, this sandwich is sure to become a favorite.

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

A Monte Cristo is essentially a cross between French toast and a ham and cheese sandwich. The sandwich is comprised of bread, ham, turkey, swiss cheese, and condiments and then coated in an egg mixture. Monte Cristo sandwiches are cooked on an outdoor griddle or a cast-iron skillet until they reach crunchy, golden brown perfection. They are then sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam.

Why use Double Smoked Ham?

Double-smoked ham adds an extra layer of depth and richness to Monte Cristo. The smokiness pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the powdered sugar and jam, creating a perfect balance of flavors. This recipe is also a great way to use up leftovers.

*Please note that this Monte Cristo recipe also calls for turkey in addition to the ham. You can certainly use all ham or all turkey if preferred. Adjust the recipe ingredients as needed.

Ingredients

8 slices of brioche bread (or thick white bread or sourdough)
8 slices of double-smoked ham (sliced thin – sub with deli ham)
8 slices of deli turkey (use all ham if preferred)
8 slices of Swiss or Gruyere cheese (sub with mozzarella)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (substitute with stone ground)
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Butter (for the griddle)
Powdered sugar (garnish)
Raspberry jam

Instructions

Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Assemble the Sandwich: Lay out the brioche slices on 4 slices, layer 1 slice of Swiss cheese, followed by 2 slices each of the double-smoked ham and turkey. On the other 4 bread slices, spread 1 teaspoon (or more) of Dijon mustard and top with another slice of cheese. Bring the opposing bread sliced together to form 4 sandwiches total.
Preheat the Griddle: Heat your Blackstone griddle to medium heat. Add a good amount of butter to the heated surface, ensuring it’s evenly coated and ready to cook your sandwiches.
Egg Dip: Lightly press the Monte Cristo sandwiches down to keep them from falling apart during dipping. Carefully dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Do not oversoak the bread.
Griddle: Place the dipped sandwiches on the Blackstone griddle. Cook the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Garnish and Serve: Transfer Monte Cristo sandwiches to a cutting board and let them rest for 1-2 minutes. Lightly dust with powdered sugar and serve sandwiches with raspberry jam (or berry jam of choice) for dipping. These sandwiches pair well with potato chips, french fries, steamed or grilled veggies, or a crisp side salad.

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Monte Cristo Sandwich

Use thick-cut bread: Use thicker-cut slices of bread like brioche or good quality white bread that can hold up to the egg mixture.
Press them down: To avoid any mishaps, we recommend pressing the sandwiches down around the edges before dipping them into the egg batter. This will keep them from falling apart, and it is particularly important when using a thick-cut bread.
Control the heat: Monitor your griddle’s temperature to keep the Monte Cristo sandwich from burning as it cooks. That way, you can achieve good, even toasting on the bread.
Experiment with jams: While raspberry jam is traditional, feel free to experiment with other varieties like blackberry or strawberry or use apple butter or pumpkin butter for dipping.
Switch up the meat: While this recipe calls for double smoked ham, you can always use regular sliced deli ham. Or, you use up leftover smoked turkey breast. Just make sure to slice it thin so that your sandwich can retain a uniform shape that will keep it from falling apart during cooking.

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