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Italian Style Monte Cristos

Total Time: 20 minutes
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This Italian Style Monte Cristo sandwich gives an Italian twist to a traditional monte cristo with ham, mozzarella, and a honey mustard and thyme sauce.

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Love a good Italian twist on your favorites? Try these Italian Burgers or Italian Beef Sandwiches.

Italian Style Monte Cristo cut in half and stacked with fresh thyme on a plate.

There is just something about the warming weather. For some reason, once June hits, it’s so hard for me to menu plan. It should be easier, because the fresh fruit and veggies that are in season, but the long days and warm weather make it harder to get into the kitchen and cook up a big meal. Plus, in the heat, I really don’t even want to be eating a big meal.

So through the summer, we turn towards a lot of easy meals. And sandwiches are right on the top of that list!! A little while back, I had the Rachael Ray Show on in the background while I was working, and I heard the magic words – “Monte Cristo” – and I immediately stopped what I was doing and I turned my attention toward the tv.

Did you all know that I love monte cristos – and pretty much any form of monte cristos? You should, because I’ve made quite a few versions, like these Monte Cristo Sandwiches, this Monte Cristo Style Croque Monsieur, Monte Cristo Waffle Sandwiches, and this Monte Cristo Sandwich Loaf.

I put this sandwich on my list right away. It doesn’t scream monte cristo to me, but it definitely gives a wink and a nod to that delicious sandwich. The original sandwich was made with prosciutto, but I know my kids wouldn’t eat them if I used prosciutto. So I substituted deli sliced ham, which we really loved. And I really loved the melty mozzarella.

This was totally my idea of a great, summertime dinner!

Italian Style Monte Cristo with honey mustard thyme sauce cut in half.

More Grilled Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Italian Melt
Pizza Grilled Cheese

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Italian Style Monte Cristo with honey mustard thyme sauce cut in half.

Italian-Style Monte Cristos

5 from 1 vote
Author: Deborah Harroun
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Course: Sandwiches
Cuisine: Italian
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This Italian Style Monte Cristo sandwich gives an Italian twist to a traditional monte cristo with ham, mozzarella, and a honey mustard and thyme sauce.

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half or cream
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/8 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 8 slices good quality white bread
  • 1/2 pound deli ham
  • 2/3 – 3/4 pound fresh mozzarella cheese
  • butter

Instructions

  • In a shallow pan, combine the eggs with the half-and-half, salt and pepper and nutmeg. Whisk to combine. Whisk in the parmesan cheese.
  • In a small bowl, combine the honey, Dijon, thyme, and lemon juice; mix well.
  • Spread the honey mustard on the inside side of the bread slices. Build the sandwiches with the ham and mozzarella cheese.
  • Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Melt about a tablespoon of butter on the griddle.
  • When the butter is melted, dip the sandwiches in the egg mixture, turning them to coat. Place on the griddle and cook until the sandwiches have browned and the cheese has melted, flipping once to make sure both sides get toasted. (You may need to cover the pan with foil so that the cheese will melt without the sandwich getting too brown.) Cut the sandwiches corner to corner and serve.
  • Cut the sandwiches corner to corner and serve.

Recipe Notes:

adapted from The Rachael Ray Show
Keywords: grilled cheese, monte cristo

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Comments

  1. Rich S says

    5 stars
    I tried this last night. It was *fantastic*. The sweetness of the honey mustard with thyme was a perfect balance to the savoury ham and mozzarella.

    I do have a few suggestions:
    – Specify an amount for the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. You’re a far more experienced cook than I am so it might be obvious how much there should be (even to taste), but I think the junior cooks will find it useful.
    – I had turned the sandwiches to make sure even though the recipe didn’t specify it. I think this is something that might also be obvious, but again for us inexperienced cooks… 🙂

    Reply

  3. Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says

    I’m right with you! With the heat I hate turning on the oven and heating up the house even more (we reached 100 today with a ‘feels like temp’ of 110). And because it is so hot outside grilling is no fun either! We will be doing a lot of sandwiches and salads over the summer, and what cooking I do attempt will be a lot of crock-pot meals and using the indoor grill top.

    Reply

  4. Joanne says

    One of the few foods that i occasionally miss as a vegetarian is a monte cristo. It’s really that sweet/salty combo that I crave. Love the sound of this!

    Reply