Spotting Breakfast- My Valentines's Monte Cristo Panini

I never really had a Monte Cristo before... Rachel Ray did her take on them during an episode of 30 Minute Meals and I've seen the sandwich on menus, but I never got around to eating one. When I was looking for a breakfast idea on TasteSpotting I found PaniniKathy's Valentine's Monte Cristo Panini and thought it was a great take on the idea of the sandwich.

Photo from paninihappy

My Valentine’s Monte Cristo Panini
via paninihappy

Adapted from Everyday Food

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS:

Dijon mustard
4 slices country bread (I used Bread & Cie’s country levain)
Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
Ham, thinly sliced
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Confectioner’s sugar
Raspberry preserves

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the panini grill to medium heat (350 degrees).

Spread mustard on the bread. Layer 2 of the bread slices with Swiss cheese, ham, and cheese again. Place remaining bread slices on top.

In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture, turning to coat well.

Carefully place the sandwich onto the panini grill. Close the lid and grill for 4-5 minutes until the bread is lightly browned and the cheese is melted.

Dust the top with confectioner’s sugar and, if desired, spoon a little raspberry preserves in the shape of a heart in the center. Another idea is to stencil in a little heart motif with the confectioner’s sugar. Happy Valentine’s Day - enjoy!


I know it's past Valentine's Day, but the concept of the panini is perfect for any day of the year. If you want to really get into this sandwich with a knife and fork I'd heat the raspeberry preseves in the microwave or on the stove until they are of a "syrup" consistancy and pour it over the Monte Cristo. If raspberry isn't your thing, you could use pretty much any kind of preserves instead - or just go with maple syrup (the real stuff).

- Here's to breakfast and full bellies.
- Cait