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Bon Appétit

Spanish Ham and Cheese Monte Cristo Sandwiches

By Jill Silverman Hough

2.5

(6)

Image may contain Burger Food Plant Bread Dish and Meal
Spanish Ham and Cheese Monte Cristo SandwichesElinor Carucci

The egg-dipped ham sandwiches are even better with Spanish ingredients: salty Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, and sweet membrillo (quince paste), which is available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores, and from igourmet.com.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

8 1/2-inch-thick slices sourdough or country-style French bread (each about 5 x 3 inches)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6 ounces Manchego cheese,* thinly sliced
2 ounces thinly sliced Serrano ham or prosciutto
4 tablespoons membrillo (quince paste) or quince preserves
4 large eggs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Arrange 4 bread slices on work surface. Spread each with 1/2 tablespoon mustard. Top each with 1/4 of cheese, then 1/4 of ham, folding to fit. Spread 1 tablespoon quince paste on each of remaining 4 bread slices; place bread, paste side down, atop ham.

    Step 2

    Beat eggs in pie dish until well blended. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in each of 2 large skillets over medium-low heat. Working with 1 sandwich at a time, hold sandwiches tightly closed and dip into beaten eggs to coat on all sides. Place 2 sandwiches in each skillet. Cover and cook until bottoms are golden, about 4 minutes. Turn sandwiches over. Cover and cook until bottoms are golden, cheese is melted, and egg coating is cooked through, about 4 minutes longer.

    Step 3

    • A Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk; sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
TagsSandwichManchegoCheeseDairySerrano HamHamMeatProsciuttoMainLunchDinnerNut FreeQuickEasy30 Minutes or LessBon Appétit

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