Here at Plum Deluxe we love a good tea sandwich. Tea is kind of our thing, after all, so a small, easy to serve sandwich that is made to be the perfect accompaniment to tea is always good in our book. While we love tried-and-true traditional tea sandwiches with things like cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumber, chicken salad, and the like, we are always looking for new ways to jazz up our options.
That's why this mini Monte Cristo Sandwich is right up our alley. It’s a perfect blend of breakfast and lunch, making it a great option for any tea party or even a quick afternoon snack. It’s a little more involved than most tea sandwiches, but the unique flavor it offers is totally worth the effort.
Similar to a traditional Monte Cristo, this sandwich includes the usual ham and Swiss cheese but has the great addition of deli-sliced turkey. It’s made into a mini sandwich by using French baguette rounds for the bread. The rounds are dipped into an egg wash and pan fried, similar to French toast, before the sandwich is assembled. Just a few minutes in the oven produces a warm center and perfectly melted cheese.
While these tea sandwiches are great served on their own, try dipping them into some berry preserves, like the same ones that you would serve with scones or toast. It makes for an amazing combination that is sure to inspire the adoration of your guests.
This sandwich makes a great pairing for nearly any of our black teas, but the slightly sweet notes from the ham and preserves go wonderfully with the maple notes of the Heritage Blend.
Monte Cristo Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 French Baguette, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
- 1/2 lb deli ham
- 1/2 lb sliced Swiss cheese
- 1/2 lb deli sliced turkey
- 2 tablespoons butter
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Whisk eggs and milk together until blended smooth, then set aside. Heat butter over in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Dip a slice of the French baguette into the egg mixture and place in the preheated skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and cook until browned. Remove from heat and set aside. Repeat until all the baguette slices have been toasted.
Lay out half of the browned baguette slices on a baking sheet. Layer a slice of ham, a slice of Swiss cheese, and a slice of turkey onto the baguette and top with another browned baguette. Repeat until you run out of browned baguette slices or the deli filling.
Place the tray in the oven and bake for 5 to 6 minutes. The meat should be cooked through and the cheese melted. Remove the sandwiches from the oven and serve immediately.
