Fried Goodness

Well, so far this week, dinners in our household have been anything but healthy. But, I've also been kicking it into high gear and going to the gym every morning...that makes it a little more ok, right?

Last night, we got home a bit later after Nellie graduated from puppy class (oh, we are such proud parents) and were faced with the challenge of what to make for dinner. When I went grocery shopping last month, I had every intention of trying a few new, but simple things, one of which was...drumroll please...Monte Cristo's. That sweet, fried goodness sounded good to both of us, so we put our chef hats on and before we knew it, our apartment spelled like the fair (think corn dogs, funnel cakes...anything fried.) I have to say it turned out great, and just in case you want to take yourself on a trip down memory lane to last fall's fair, I'm going to go ahead and share the recipe I used (which can also be found here.)


Monte Cristo (The REAL one)

• 1 quart oil for frying, or as needed
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 slices white bread
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 slices turkey
• 4 slices ham
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Heat 5 inches of oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). While oil is heating, make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper; whisk into the egg mixture until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Assemble sandwiches by placing one slice of turkey on one slice of bread, a slice of ham on another, then sandwich them with the Swiss cheese in the middle. Cut sandwiches into quarters, and secure with toothpicks.
3. Dip each sandwich quarter in the batter so that all sides are coated. Deep fry in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides. Remove toothpicks and arrange on a serving tray. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.