California Avocado Monte Cristo Recipes

AVOCADO CRISTO WITH CHERRY TOMATO JAM AND BALSAMIC REDUCTION

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a medium size bowl combine the eggs, milk, garlic, cumin, and salt and pepper, and lightly beat. Dip the bread slices in the egg mixture covering both sides. In a baking dish lightly coated with olive oil, place a layer of bread slices on the bottom. Arrange a layer of avocado slices in a fan design on top of the bread. Cover with a layer of Monterey Jack. Place another layer of the dipped bread slices over the cheese and avocados. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until bread is nicely browned.
• To make the tomato jam, saute the tomatoes and sugar in a pan until liquid reduces and becomes thick.
• In a medium size pot, reduce the vinegar until slightly thickened.
• To serve, remove the avocado cristo from baking dish and cut into wedges. Arrange wedges on each plate with the plum tomato jam and a drizzle of the balsamic reduction. Garnish plate with lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a slice of avocado.

CALIFORNIA AVOCADO MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• Beat together eggs, milk, and salt.
• Reserve.
• Mix mayonnaise with garlic.
• Spread 1/2 tablespoon on one side of each slice of bread.
• Cover 4 slices of bread with avocado slices; top each with 2 slices chicken or turkey (if using) and 1 slice of cheese.
• Cover each with remaining slice of bread, spread side down.
• Diagonally cut each in half; reserve.
• In a large frying pan, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
• Meanwhile, dip 4 sandwich halves in egg, coating well.
• Brown in hot butter, about 2 minutes per side.
• Repeat with remaining sandwich halves.
• Serve each sandwich with 1/4 cup salsa.
• Garnish with cilantro sprig.

MONTE CRISTOS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salad dressing and Dijon mustard; spread over 1 side of each slice of bread. On 4 slices, layer the turkey, ham and Swiss cheese; top with remaining bread. In a shallow bowl, combine the eggs, cream and ground mustard. Dip sandwiches in egg mixture., On a griddle or large skillet, melt butter. Toast sandwiches over medium heat until bread is golden brown, 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve with preserves.

ULTIMATE MONTE CRISTO

Steps:

• To make the Batter: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cayenne, and salt.
• Whisk in the club soda and beer.
• The mixture should be the consistency of pancake batter.
• Refrigerate until you're ready to use it.
• To assemble the Sandwiches: Set half of the slices buttered side down, and cover with the cheese slices, folding them over if they extend past the edges.
• Layer the ham and turkey over the cheese, and spread the jam over the turkey.
• Place the top slice of bread on, buttered side up.
• Grill the sandwiches on both sides.
• Pour the oil into a deep heavy-duty saucepan to fill it halfway.
• Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), measuring the temperature on a deep-fat thermometer.
• Cut the sandwiches on a diagonal into thirds, to make 9 triangular pieces.
• Stir the batter.
• Dip each sandwich piece into the batter, thoroughly coating it.
• Fry the pieces 2 or 3 at a time, being careful not to overcrowd them in the pan.
• Cook them for about 3 minutes on each side, until they're nicely browned, and transfer to a paper towel to drain.
• Allow the oil to come back up to temperature before you fry the next batch of sandwiches.
• Place the sandwiches on a platter.
• Sift a very heavy layer of powdered sugar over them, and serve with a side of jam.

CALIFORNIA AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Serve immediately with chips.