Where Have You Been All My Life…….

I seriously don’t think that customer service is what it used to be. There was a time when it was actually about the customer and not just cover the stores backside from losing money. I have worked in a customer service position several times in my life and I know that there is ALWAYS something that can be done to resolve whatever problem the customer is having at that time. After my third round with a store I placed an order through two weeks ago, for a birthday gift for our son, I felt that a good lunch was in order. Salad wasn’t going to do the trick today, I needed something amazing to calm my nerves, and help make up for the mess that is customer service.

Have you ever heard of a recipe that you know is going to be good, but you just put off trying for who knows why? I have been doing a serious amount of research on a Monte Cristo sandwich lately. I have never eaten one, and I only know what I have read. In saying that I can’t tell you that my recipe tastes exactly like a traditional Monte Cristo because I don’t know what they taste like. But what I can tell you is that my version of a Monte Cristo is out of this world amazing, and a sandwich that I could literally eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner every single day.

Traditionally a Monte Cristo sandwich is made with ham, cheese, and French bread dipped in an egg mixture, like French toast, and fried. It is a combination of sweet and savory, and can be eaten for any meal. Generally, a Monte Cristo will contain over 1,000 calories, but my version is only 296 calories. You could eat 3.33 of my little babies for what one of those would cost you.

I chose to use turkey bacon rather than ham, and Healthy Life 80 calorie hamburger buns instead of French bread. I freeze my bread, and hamburger buns, that aren’t going to be used right away to keep them fresh which made slicing a thin layer off the top and bottom of the buns really easy. (Allow to thaw slightly before continuing, or microwave a few seconds.) If you don’t take a thin slice off the bun will burn, and it doesn’t taste as good, or brown as nicely. I used fresh mozzarella to provide the absolute gooey factor that every grilled sandwich needs. You can eat this sandwich savory, or do a traditional combo of sweet and savory, which is one of my favorites and found to be an absolute win in my book. If you have never tried a Monte Cristo, now is the time, if you have tried one, you still need to try this version, it is out of this world. Grill up an ooey, gooey, sweet and savory sensation, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Have you ever eaten a Monte Cristo sandwich?

What filling was inside?

Do you like savory sandwiches, or are you in love with a sweet and savory combo?

Sweet and Savory Monte Cristo Sandwich

By Angie Gouchenour

3 sandwiches

Ingredients

½ teaspoon coconut oil

3 Healthy Life 80 calorie wheat hamburger buns

1 egg

1 teaspoon milk

Pinch of ground cinnamon

1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

6 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced thin

4 ½ slices cooked turkey bacon

Powdered sugar optional

Maple syrup optional

Directions

Cut a very thin layer off the top and bottom of the hamburger buns (See notes above)

Heat the coconut oil in a fry pan over medium heat

Lay the buns out with the trimmed side down

Split the Dijon mustard between the buns and spread evenly on the inside of the top and bottom of each

Place one ounce of mozzarella cheese on the bottom bun, and one ounce on the top bun

Line up 3 half turkey bacon slices on the mozzarella cheese and cover with the top bun

In a small bowl mix together the egg, milk, and cinnamon

Dip the buns in the egg mixture and place on the hot pan (I placed a lid on the pan to help melt the cheese)

Carefully turn the sandwiches when the bottom is brown and crispy

Allow the other side to brown

(Gently roll the sandwiches on their side if there is any egg that didn’t cook on the side of the bun)

Place the sandwiches on a plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar if you would like

You can also dip the sandwiches in maple syrup

1 sandwich = 296 calories