Monte Cristo Sandwich For Toddlers
Description
If you were the sort of dad whose great regret in parenthood (so far) is not being willing or able to introduce your child to the garbage foods we ate in the 90s – think pizza rolls/hot pockets, bowtie pasta, blue raspberry everything – then we have just two words for you: you’re welcome. Here it is, folks: a Bennigan’s Monte Cristo sandwich, with a few modest modifications – no deep frying sorry— to save you and your toddlers soul and stove.
Yeah, it’s good. But you already know that. What you want to know is this: it’s easy and quick to put together, and can be readily modified to fit what you have in the pantry or fridge. Your child won’t have any idea what it is, or why it makes you light up, but as soon as he/she tries it, (s)he’ll get it: melted cheese, animal protein, sugar, carbs, and eggs just taste amazing together.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
- Remove crusts from bread slices. Toast slices in (toaster) oven set to 200 until dry but not toasted, roughly 8-10 minutes if thick slices or 5-6 minutes if thinner. Let cool for five minutes.
- In a flat and shallow container, mix the eggs, milk, and sugar until completely blended.
- Spread one side of a piece of bread with mayonnaise; spread one side of a different piece of bread with mustard. Repeat for remaining slices.
- Place meat and cheese slices atop the piece of bread with mustard smeared on it; place other slice of bread on top, mayonnaise side down. Place sandwich into egg batter and allow to soak for two minutes a side (or one minute per side if using thinly-sliced bread).
Cook and Assemble
- Put a generous amount of oil in a skillet or pan–enough to coat the bottom. Heat on Medium until shimmering.
- Cook the sandwiches until golden, roughly 2-3 minutes per side.
- Allow a minute or two before cutting the sandwich in half. Drizzle strawberry jelly over the top, or serve on the side for dipping.
Serve
We like to quarter the sandwich: both small and big enough to hold and devour without turning to a stringy mess all over your child’s hands (and attire).
Adapt
As noted earlier, you can swap in and out whatever meats and cheese you have; feel free to throw pickles in the mix, or use different condiments–just keep the application light so it doesn’t make the insides soggy. For a sweet version, check out our Hong Kong style french toast: it’s stuffed with peanut butter and prepared in a similar way.
