Savory Monté Cristo Delight: Vegetarian Edition
Indulge in the luxurious flavors of a classic Monté Cristo sandwich with a vegetarian twist! This delightful recipe features crispy, deep-fried sandwiches filled with layers of melted Swiss cheese, savory tempeh bacon, and tender vegetarian turkey cutlets. Each sandwich is lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar, creating a perfect sweet and savory balance. Serve with a luscious fruit compote and rich currant jelly sauce for a dish that brings the enchanting dining experience of Disneyland right to your home kitchen. Perfect for lunches, picnics, or any occasion that calls for a bit of magic!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
red currant jelly
12 ounces (Combine with water and half-and-half for sauce.)
water
1 tablespoon + 2/3 cup (Used in currant jelly sauce and batter.)
half-and-half
1 tablespoon (Mix with red currant jelly and water.)
canned peaches (or choice of canned fruit)
1 (15 ounce) can (Mix with fresh fruits for compote.)
small egg
1 (Use in batter.)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (Add to batter.)
white pepper
1/8 teaspoon (Add to batter.)
all-purpose flour
2/3 cup (Incorporate into batter.)
baking powder
1 3/4 teaspoons (Add to batter.)
white bread
8 slices (Used for sandwiches.)
roasted vegetarian turkey pieces or cooked vegetarian chicken pieces
4 pieces (cut in half to 1/4-inch thickness) (Layer in sandwiches.)
Tillamook Swiss cheese
4 slices (1 ounce each) (Layer in sandwiches.)
tempeh bacon or favorite veggie bacon
8 slices, cooked (Layer in sandwiches.)
vegetable oil
for frying (Heat for frying sandwiches.)
confectioners' sugar
for dusting (Dust over sandwiches before serving.)
fruit compote
as needed (Serve alongside sandwiches.)
currant jelly sauce
as needed (Serve for dipping.)
Instructions
1
CURRANT JELLY SAUCE: In a blender, combine the red currant jelly, water, and half-and-half. Blend until you achieve a smooth consistency. This will yield about 3/4 cup of sauce.
2
FRUIT COMPOTE: Mix your choice of fresh and canned fruits together in a bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Each serving yields approximately 1/2 cup.
3
BATTER: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the water, egg, salt, and white pepper using an electric mixer on low speed. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder until the mixture becomes smooth. Chill the batter for about 15 minutes.
4
SANDWICHES: Assemble each sandwich by layering the cheese, tempeh bacon, and sliced vegetarian turkey on two slices of white bread. Cut each sandwich into quarters and secure each piece with a toothpick.
5
FRYING: In a deep fryer, heat approximately 6 inches of vegetable oil to 340 degrees Fahrenheit. Dip each quartered sandwich into the chilled batter, ensuring it is fully coated. Carefully place the sandwiches into the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown, turning occasionally for even cooking. Alternatively, you can heat about 1/4-inch of oil in a large skillet and fry the sandwiches on both sides until crispy.
6
DRAIN AND SERVE: Remove the sandwiches from the oil and discard the toothpicks. Place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Before serving, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Plate them with a side of your chilled fruit compote and drizzle with the currant jelly sauce for dipping. Enjoy your delightful brunch!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Savory Monte Cristo Delight: Vegetarian Edition?
It is a vegetarian-friendly version of the classic Monte Cristo sandwich, featuring layers of Swiss cheese, tempeh bacon, and vegetarian turkey, deep-fried in batter and dusted with sugar.
What are the main filling ingredients for this sandwich?
The sandwich is filled with Swiss cheese, tempeh bacon or veggie bacon, and roasted vegetarian turkey or chicken pieces.
How do I make the Currant Jelly Sauce?
Combine 12 ounces of red currant jelly, 1 tablespoon of water, and 1 tablespoon of half-and-half in a blender and blend until smooth.
How much sauce does the Currant Jelly Sauce recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 3/4 cup of sauce.
How should I prepare the Fruit Compote?
Mix fresh and canned fruits (like peaches) in a bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
What ingredients are in the Monte Cristo batter?
The batter consists of water, one small egg, salt, white pepper, all-purpose flour, and baking powder.
How long should the batter be chilled?
The batter should be chilled for about 15 minutes before use.
How do I assemble the sandwiches before frying?
Layer the cheese, tempeh bacon, and vegetarian turkey between two slices of white bread, then cut into quarters and secure each with a toothpick.
What is the recommended temperature for frying the sandwiches?
The vegetable oil should be heated to 340 degrees Fahrenheit.
How deep should the oil be for deep frying?
You should use approximately 6 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer.
Can I cook these sandwiches in a skillet instead of a deep fryer?
Yes, you can heat about 1/4-inch of oil in a large skillet and fry the sandwiches on both sides until crispy.
How do I ensure the sandwiches are evenly cooked?
Turn the sandwiches occasionally while frying until they are golden brown on all sides.
What is the final step before serving the sandwiches?
Remove the toothpicks, drain the sandwiches on paper towels, and sprinkle them with confectioners' sugar.
What sides are recommended for this dish?
Serve the sandwiches with a side of chilled fruit compote and a drizzle of currant jelly sauce for dipping.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is a vegetarian edition of the classic Monte Cristo, using plant-based meats and vegetarian-friendly ingredients.
What kind of cheese is specified in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 slices of Tillamook Swiss cheese.
What type of bread works best for this Monte Cristo?
The recipe recommends using 8 slices of white bread.
Can I use vegetarian chicken instead of turkey?
Yes, you can use roasted vegetarian turkey pieces or cooked vegetarian chicken pieces.
How do I make the batter smooth?
Whisk the wet ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed and gradually add the flour and baking powder.
What seasonings are used in the batter?
The batter is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of white pepper.
How many sandwich quarters does this recipe yield?
By quartering 4 full sandwiches, you will have 16 sandwich quarters.
Is the fruit compote served hot or cold?
The fruit compote should be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and served cold.
What creates the sweet and savory balance in this dish?
The savory fillings of cheese and meat alternatives are balanced by the confectioners' sugar dusting and the sweet currant jelly sauce.
Can I use any type of fruit for the compote?
Yes, you can use a choice of fresh and canned fruits, such as canned peaches.
Is this recipe inspired by a specific location?
The recipe is designed to recreate the enchanting dining experience of Disneyland at home.
What is the purpose of the toothpicks?
The toothpicks secure the sandwich quarters together while they are being dipped in batter and fried.
Is this recipe vegan?
No, this recipe contains egg, dairy (Swiss cheese), and half-and-half, making it vegetarian but not vegan.
How much fruit compote is in one serving?
Each serving yields approximately 1/2 cup of fruit compote.
What should I do if the sandwiches are too oily?
Place the fried sandwiches on paper towels immediately after cooking to absorb any excess oil.
What occasions are best for serving this Monte Cristo?
It is perfect for lunches, picnics, or brunch.