Christmas

Monte Cristo with Orange and Rosemary Maple Syrup

by:
December  6, 2010
4
4 Ratings
Monte Cristo with Orange and Rosemary Maple Syrup
Photo by Rocky Luten
  • Makes 2
Author Notes

I posted a breakfast picture on FB the other day and a friend posted back how much she loved a Monte Cristo she had recently eaten. Well not one to let an idea go to waste here is my take on what is an awesome sandwich. What is great is 9 times out of 10 you will have some form of the ingredients. Originally a Monte Cristo was a ham and turkey with Swiss cheese on white bread that is made like French toast and deep fried then served with maple syrup. I did this one a little different because who wants to deep fry them. These also hold really well in the oven while you finish cooking the others on the stove top so you can make lots of them and everyone can eat at the same time. The syrup is all that and a bag of chips. I already see it topping some pork chops. - thirschfeld —thirschfeld

Test Kitchen Notes

These elegant sandwiches were a total hit at brunch. I thought the flipping and dipping would be complicated and messy, but it was a cinch! The sandwiches came together in a flash, and I kept the finished ones in a warm oven as recommended – I think it made them even more delicious and melty. The egg white and panko coating turned out beautifully and added an unexpected crunch. As thirshfeld says, the syrup is to die for. The rosemary in particular does a lot to bridge the sweet-savory gap. A note: I made a double recipe and hardly made a dent in the egg whites. You could probably just whip up one and save the rest for something else. —UhOhSarah

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh rosemary, very finely minced
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 4 slices of brioche
  • 6 thin slices of ham, turkey or both, cut to fit the bread
  • 3/4 cup gruyere cheese, grated
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons half and half
  • 2 egg whites, whipped until stiff
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
  1. In a small sauce pan combine the orange juice, zest, rosemary, maple syrup and pepper. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
  2. Make two ham and cheese sandwiches with the bread, cheese and ham.
  3. Combine the cream and the egg yolks in a flat container and whisk them together. Place the panko crumbs on a plate.
  4. Dip one side of each sandwich into the egg yolk mixture and let it soak up some of the liquid. Flip the sandwich to soak the other side.
  5. While it is soaking spread an even layer of the egg white across the top of the sandwiches and sprinkle with panko.
  6. Turn the sandwiches out onto the panko, panko side down. Coat the uncoated side of the sandwich with egg white and then flip it again.
  7. Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat and melt the butter in the pan. When it is bubbling add the sandwiches. Brown slowly so the interior gets warm and melty. Flip and brown the other side. Cut the sandwiches in half and plate them. Serve with hot syrup on the side.
  8. As you can see it would be easy to make these in larger quantities. Heat the oven to 250 and brown them a little faster, put them on a sheet tray and let the oven finish cooking them while you are onto making other sandwiches.
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21 Reviews

dazed'n G.
dazed'n G. April 14, 2012
WOW! We just made these for friends who were passing through town and stopped in for lunch. This is a definite do again, and again...... With the 4 of us there were 10 thumbs up. If I had said I'd make these again for supper, they would have been tempted to stay over. Great recipe
 
DoreenMorg
DoreenMorg November 24, 2011
Two words for this recipe, TRY IT. These sandwiches were amazing. Even my "I don't like maple syrup" daughter loved the syrup. The rosemary infuses a wonderful flavor and I know I'll be making that again for other meals. The only difference I used was challah versus brioche based on availability at our Shop Rite. I'm not sure how that changes the texture of the sandwich, but these were moist and creamy on the inside and crunchy and perfect on the outside. Thanks so much for sharing!
 
inthebow
inthebow July 4, 2011
I just made this for breakfast. It was wonderful! They have the most fantastic crust on them. The syrup was perfect on them too!
 
kitch -.
kitch -. December 24, 2010
wow sounds great! can't wait to try this
 
Table9
Table9 December 9, 2010
This looks delicious. Wonderful idea!
 
cheese1227
cheese1227 December 7, 2010
I need an open morning to make these.
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 8, 2010
or afternoon or evening. Really should give these a try.
 
Kayb
Kayb December 7, 2010
Love the egg-white-and-panko idea -- great finish to an already great sandwich!
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 7, 2010
It gives it a great crunch
 
MrsWheelbarrow
MrsWheelbarrow December 6, 2010
Yum.
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Thanks mrslarkin. Have you started celebrating Festuvis? I LOLed when I read
your headnote and I think you are right something does need to be done about Tuesdays
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Well that comment shouldn't have gone there. Thank you MrsWheelbarrow.
 
iuzzini
iuzzini December 6, 2010
aaaaaah! I was so in the mood for this yesterday, but I couldn't think of what they were called. I kept thinking Croque Madame. I can't wait to try this. Mmmmm.
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Isn't a croque Madame a monsieur made with turkey? All three fall into my category of great sandwiches
 
Loves F.
Loves F. December 8, 2010
Croque Madame has an egg on top!
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 8, 2010
I guess of have seen them all kinds of ways. Bechemel with fried egg called a Madame by Thomas Keller, Jaque Pepin making one with chicken instead of ham called it a Madame but you are right Loves Food, traditionally, a Madame has the fried egg but I also think the Monsieur is served with bechemel and no egg. I will take one of each I think.
 
sioden
sioden March 7, 2013
Actually a croque monsieur is made with ham and bechamel and cheese on the outside, whilst a croque madame is the same with a fried egg on top!
 
Daphne
Daphne December 6, 2010
I get my daughters home for a week this year at Christmastime, so, if we don't make these on Christmas morning we will for sure try them for another meal; breakfast, lunch or dinner! Thank you!
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
Thank you and I hope you get to make it. It truly is yummy.
 
aargersi
aargersi December 6, 2010
THirsch strikes again! BIG yum on these ... great idea!!!!
 
thirschfeld
thirschfeld December 6, 2010
This was so good. I had a totally different pic in my mind but I couldn't stop eating it.