Happy Friday friends!
I have exactly 6 more recipes that I put together with pictures from my old lens, so bear with me as I burn through my backlog. I have to say (even with pictures that now make me tilt my head slightly and say "huh" perplexedly) that these little sliders still look yummy. If you are unfamiliar with the Monte Cristo, as the hubby was, this is what a Monte Cristo is:
A Monte Cristo is typically a fried ham-and-cheese sandwich, a variation of the French croque-monsieur. Typically in the United States, you'll find this also made with raspberry preserves and lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
I omitted the frying (because, well, they're sliders) and also the powdered sugar because that is the one part of the Monte Cristo that I detest. The magic of the Monte Cristo lies in the combination of the salty ham and the sweetness of the raspberry preserves. The hubby took one look at this sandwich and gave me a look that said I was cray-cray. I believe his exact words were "Gross!".
I beseeched him to just take bite. And he did. At which point he did a complete double take. The word this time was "Whoa!". We had a good laugh and we both agreed we had no idea how this sandwich works, it just does.
As always, you can substitute out store-bought raspberry jam. But why would you want to? I don't know what it is about commercial raspberry jam, but it doesn't have nearly the raspberry-ness of fresh.
Is that a thing? Raspberry-ness? Well, it is now!
It takes maybe 15 minutes to make a quick jar of jam. And you'll find, at the least, a bag of frozen raspberries in my house 100% of the time. Most of the time, you're likely to find fresh berries as well.
It's just the raspberry addict in me :-)
I like to toast my buns before making the sandwiches. It helps keep the sandwich crispy.
I totally utilized leftover Christmas ham for this sliders. It was a perfect use for it, and one the hubby actually enjoyed. In case I haven't mentioned it, the hubby is not really into ham. I don't make it, because he doesn't like it. I get to eat it a couple of times a year, usually on Easter and for Christmas when other family members make it. I always take home plenty of leftovers for me to eat, though.
After I toasted the buns, I layered ham and swiss on the bottoms.
Put the tray in the oven, and broil until the cheese melts. Yuuuuuuuuummmmmm!
Now all you have to do is slap some jam on that bad boy and devour!
These would be perfect for the NFL playoffs. Or the Super Bowl. Or, let's face it, anytime you have leftover ham. They might sound weird, but trust me, they work! Even Mr. Ham-Hater agrees on that one.
Well, I've got to run folks. The hubby and I are headed to the courthouse to get my license renewed. Which means I actually have to do my hair today since they are going to take a picture that will be around for the next 10 years. Bother. Other than that, we are headed to Ashland so I can find a dress for one of his cousin's wedding. This cousin, by the way, was 13 when I first met her. I can't believe she is getting married! Where does the time go? At any rate, the wedding is tomorrow! Eeps! I usually don't procrastinate like this, but we had a nasty week of winter weather and the back roads around here didn't leave me feeling confident I could navigate them without navigating right into a field of cows. So here I am, one day before the wedding, dress-less. Have no fear friends, I'm not too picky. I'll find something today. Fingers crossed!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Ingredients (makes 1 dozen sliders):
1 package (12) slider buns
1 lb cooked ham
6 thin slices of Swiss cheese, cut into 4th's
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to broil.
2. On a large cookie sheet, arrange buns face down. Place in oven and broil until lightly browned. Remove pan, and flip all buns. Place back in oven and toast until lightly browned. This whole process takes maybe 4 minutes.
3. Remove "tops" of buns from the cookie sheet, set aside. Divide the ham between the "bottoms". Place back in oven and broil for 2 minutes. Remove sheet from oven. Place (2) 4th's of Swiss cheese on each bun. Place back in the oven and toast until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
4. Spread raspberry jam on "tops" of buns. Sandwich the "tops" on the "bottoms". Serve immediately!
Printable Recipe
Looking for other recipes perfect for the Super Bowl or tailgating? Try these!
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Do you remember the standard Monte Cristo sandwich that many of the Left Coast restaurants used to feature? Your recipe (on sandwich bread)and then dipped in an egg batter and deep fried? And, finally, buried in powdered sugar? I remember my first one ever in California. The waitress placed it in front of me, and I inhaled as I bit into it. Nearly choked to death on inhaled powdered sugar. It would have made a great juvenile sitcom where one person blew food all over someone. Had several after that (minus powdered sugar) but haven't seen them offered around here in years. I guess it's time to try out your recipe!
ReplyDeleteI don't! I probably would have deep fried the sandwich, if I hadn't made them into sliders. But I was always going to omit the powdered sugar. Yuck, I've never liked them with sugar, not to mentioned buried. I've always felt they are supposed to be more savory than sweet. So yes, try mine, they are SAVORY not SWEET! :-)
DeleteOh my, now I have to try not only the sliders but the other recipes you shared as well. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I run into that problem with bloggers I follow too. Quite often actually :-) Hope you are having a great week Debbie!
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