Disneyland’s most famous sandwich is the Monte Cristo, and only appears sporadically around Disney World (it was on the Town Square menu (in Magic Kingdom) back in the 1980s). It may be because it is such a mess to make, so we’re going to make a minnie-version that is even better, nicer to handle and a little less messy. The Monte Cristo has its origins in 1900s France, but it was Disneyland who really popularized in America in the 1960s, so that makes it kind of double magical.

If you aren’t comfortable with pan frying, you may want to skip the butter and only use oil. It is easy to burn the mixture, but the addition of butter gives it a better flavor. This sandwich almost is so interesting and so very good because it has the components of grilled cheese, but wrapped in a French Toast-ish pastry. For this reason, almost everyone in the world loves it, little children included. Since you’re gonna be in your camper, you may want to take this one outside to eat. Princesses do not sleep so well with powdered sugar and jelly in their beds, now do they?

ingredients

6 slices of large deli sourdough bread (from grocery store deli)
12 slices honey ham
12 slices
1/2 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 slices provolone cheese
12 slices Swiss cheese
1/2 stick butter, unsalted
2/3 cup water
1 egg
salt and pepper
1 t sugar
2/3 cup self-rising flour (or 2/3 cup regular flour with 1 teaspoon baking powder)
1/2 cup oil (more may be needed depending on pan)
powdered sugar

Jelly Sauce:
2/3 cup currant or red raspberry jelly or jam
1 T water
1 squeeze of lemon
Note: The original WDW recipe used 1 T half and half instead of lemon juice. The lemon juice adds a tang that helps to offset the sweetness, but you can use half and half or milk instead.

directions

Combine the mustard and mayonnaise and spread lightly onto 6 pieces of bread. These should be large deli pieces of bread, nearly twice a long as regular packaged bread (Sunbeam or Wonder).

Put two slices of turkey on the bottom pieces. Top with two slices of provolone and two slices of Swiss cheese. Top all of this with the two slices of ham.

Now, cut each sandwich into thirds. Like this.

Mix the water, egg, salt, pepper, sugar and flour together in a bowl.

Melt the oil and butter together on medium to medium high in a skillet. We can achieve good results without deep frying – we are just going to pan fry.  You’ll want to have about an inch or so of the oil and butter mixture in your pan.

Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture and put into frying pan. Flip after it turns golden about one minute, being careful not to burn the sandwich or the butter. This process moves quickly, so if your butter starts to burn, you will want to discard it and replace with a new oil and butter mixture.

Once the sandwiches are done, sprinkle each side with confectioners sugar.

Now, drizzle each sandwich with the jelly sauce (combine the jelly, water and lemon juice), and serve extra on the side for dipping.

SERVE

I like to put the mini sandwiches on a platter with fruit, particularly strawberries. Remember strawberries taste better in Fort Wilderness than they do anywhere else in the world. This is quite a heavy sandwich, and people usually can’t eat as much as they think they can.  Salt & vinegar chips on the side also provide a contrast to all of the sweetness.