A Monte Cristo sandwich is like the French Croque Monsieur, but even better (IMO).
A Croque Monsieur is a grilled ham and cheese, topped with additional cheese.
The Monte Cristo omits the cheese on top but saturates the sliced bread in egg batter before cooking. I love what this does to the flavor!
Most recipes for this delicious sandwich call for ham, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard, but I add deli turkey as well. If you don’t eat ham, then feel free to use just turkey.
The sandwich has a savory/salty flavor, and many people serve it alongside confectioner’s sugar, berry preserves and/or maple syrup. Kind of like French Toast, but better!
This is an amazing low-FODMAP lunch, brunch or supper that preps in about 15 minutes. I love this recipe!
FODMAP facts:
- Remember, the low-FODMAP diet is NOT a dairy-free diet. Swiss cheese is naturally low in lactose levels and should be tolerated by most individuals with IBS
- While still containing gluten, white wheat sourdough is often low in FODMAPs. The reason is the fructans (FODMAPs) in the wheat are converted to a more digestible form during the fermentation process for the bread. Test for your tolerance if you do not have gluten-sensitivity or celiac disease, and would like to use sourdough for your sandwich
Rachel’s Tip: You can make any sandwich better with this egg batter technique! Try it with any of your preferred combinations.
Try some of my other amazing low-FODMAP Lunch recipes after you enjoy this meal!
You may also love:
- Low-FODMAP Cajun Tuna Salad or Tuna Melt
- The BEST Low-FODMAP Egg Salad
- Low-FODMAP Curry Chicken Salad
- Low-FODMAP Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds
- Low-FODMAP Fabulous Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Low-FODMAP ‘Everything Good’ Summertime Salad
- Low-FODMAP Favorite Macaroni Salad
Or check out over 500 more low-FODMAP recipes on the blog. IBS-friendly!
Be healthy and happy,
Rachel Pauls, MD
Although this recipe has not been lab tested, a single serving should be low-FODMAP based on the ingredients (*using available FODMAP data at time of posting)
Serves: 1
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup low-FODMAP milk, such as lactose-free or almond milk
- 2 slices low-FODMAP, gluten-free bread or sourdough (see Note)
- 1 teaspoon (5g) mayonnaise (select brands without added onion, garlic or HFCS, such as Hellman’s)
- 1 teaspoon (5g) prepared yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
- 2 slices (40g) cooked deli ham
- 2 slices (40g) cooked deli smoked turkey
- 1 slice (20g) Swiss cheese
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) avocado or preferred oil for frying
Optional, for serving:
- Confectioner’s sugar
- Maple syrup
- Strawberry preserves
Directions
- In a shallow bowl large enough for your sandwich, whisk your egg and milk
- Spread mayonnaise on one slice of bread, and mustard on the second slice
- Lay the cheese, turkey, and ham on top of the mayo then cover with the second slice, mustard side in
- Set up a grill pan over medium heat, and brush with oil
- Gently dip the sandwich in the egg mixture on both sides until lightly saturated and place on your heated grill pan
- Cook over medium heat until the bottom piece is golden, then flip the sandwich carefully
- Grill until the bread is toasted to your preference and the cheese is melted slightly on the edges
- Serve immediately, dusted with confectioner’s sugar and alongside maple syrup and preserves, if desired
