I remember the first time I ordered a Monte Cristo sandwich. I was at a deli in Jackson, Mississippi, and spied its unfamiliar name on the menu. The description reeled me in: “Turkey, ham, and swiss cheese on sourdough, battered and fried up like French toast, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with strawberry jam.” It was a sandwich only an elementary schooler could love.
Why This Recipe Is So Good
While I don’t often order Monte Cristos these days, the same ingredients make perfect sense in a breakfast casserole. Hear me out.
The beauty of a Monte Cristo is that it’s the ideal balance of sweet and savory; that flavor play works beautifully in this breakfast casserole. Actually, this casserole is much more savory than sweet; the eggy, cheesy base isn’t sweetened at all. It’s packed with filling ham, turkey, and plenty of rich, nutty cheese.
Combined with plenty of crusty French bread, the savory custard bakes up into a decadent breakfast casserole that is delicious without any sweet elements added. But those elements take this dish right over the top.
Credit:
People Inc. Food Studios
Sweet Meets Savory
Now I know there’s plenty of folks out there—my husband included—who can’t abide recipes that combine sweet and savory flavors. “Keep that salt away form my chocolate chip cookies,” he says. While I respect his wishes, I wholeheartedly believe he is missing out. Big time.
A little sweet: In this recipe, the powdered sugar is minimal, and the jam drizzle is just that—a drizzle. Because of the conservative amounts of these sweet elements, this casserole doesn’t eat sweet at all. In fact, it reminds me of one of my family’s favorite holiday appetizers, baked brie, which is usually topped with preserves.
A little cheesy: This casserole hits those cheesy, indulgent notes, but backs them up with heartiness and heft—the ham, turkey, and bread team up to deliver a filling breakfast that won’t leave you wallowing in a sugar crash 30 minutes later.
Even if you’re not a card-carrying sweet-and-savory fan, give this Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole a try. Try it plain if that’s your jam. But I dare you to try a bite with a little bit of am on the side. You might just become a convert.
Dining and Cooking