Monte Cristo Sandwich (American Lunch)

Tomato soup is one of those recipes that brings a touch of warmth and comfort on chilly days. It is an excellent choice as an appetizer or as a main course, especially when paired with a delicious sandwich, like our recipe. Therefore, we will start by preparing the tomato soup, which will add an intense flavor and pleasant aroma to our meal.

To prepare the tomato soup, we need fresh and flavorful ingredients. Start by looking for ripe tomatoes, which will give the soup a rich taste. In a pot, add a little olive oil and sauté a finely chopped onion until it becomes translucent. Then add chopped garlic and let it brown slightly. Add the diced tomatoes, a few fresh basil leaves, salt, and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the tomatoes are well cooked, blend everything with a blender until you achieve a smooth consistency. If you wish, you can also add a splash of cream for extra creaminess.

Meanwhile, we will take care of our sandwich. We prepare the egg mixture, which will make each bite divine. The eggs, liquid cream, vanilla essence, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt are mixed well in a bowl until all ingredients are fully integrated. This mixture will give a sweet and aromatic note to our sandwich.

The slices of bread are placed side by side, and on the first one, a slice of Swiss cheese is placed. On the second slice, we add Swiss cheese again, and on the third slice, we place two slices of ham. We continue to alternate the ingredients so that we have a generous sandwich. Once all the slices are arranged, we take the second slice and place it over the third one, with the ham facing up. Then, we place the first slice on top, so that the Swiss cheese is in contact with the ham.

To toast the sandwich, we heat a pan with butter. When it has melted and heated up, we take the sandwich and lightly dip it in the egg mixture, making sure it is well covered on both sides, including the edges. We toast the sandwich for two minutes on one side, then flip it to the opposite side for another minute or two, until it becomes golden and crispy. Don’t forget to toast the edges for added texture.

Once the sandwich is ready, we transfer it to the preheated oven, leaving it for a few minutes for the Swiss cheese to melt better. You can also use the microwave to achieve the same quick effect.

Finally, we serve the warm sandwich alongside the tomato soup, creating a perfect contrast between the crunch of the bread and the creaminess of the soup. It is a simple meal but full of flavor that will delight any gourmet.