Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Hello my friends, family and fellow bloggers! I am so sorry I haven't posted anything on this blog in awhile. I offer my sincere apologies for that. I will TRY from now to at least post something once a week. I hope everyone is well and having a wonderful day!

Today I want to post a recipe I LOVE! Monte Cristo Sandwiches! The first time I tried these was at a restaurant called, "Cheddars". Yum! A few weeks ago I wanted some sooo bad, but we don't have a Cheddars here in north Florida where I live. So I got online and found a recipe for them. I have made them twice since then and they are so delicious. Before digging into them the other night, I remembered to take pictures so I could blog about them. So here goes...

Monte Cristo Sandwich

1 quart oil for frying
2/3 cup water
1 egg
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
8 slices bread
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices turkey
4 slices ham
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tbsp. confectioners sugar
Jar of raspberry jam

Heat 5 inches of oil in a pot to 365 degrees. While oil is heating, make the batter. (I found that you should double the batter recipe because just making it one time over isn't quite enough. I also make a couple of extra sandwiches so we have extra left over, but it's up to you in however much you want to make)

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. Assemble sandwiches by place 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. 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 before serving.

In a small bowl spoon some raspberry jam and then put in microwave to warm jam. This will be your dipping sauce for the Monte Cristos.

I really hope you will try this recipe because it's so delicious and I know you will love it. Have a great day!

Paige

Easy (and cheap) Pizza!

This is a pizza I created with low funds, haha. I wasn't sure how it was going to taste, but I like to experiment. So I made it, and  I love it. I now make it on a regular basis. It's really good and soooo easy to make. If you have children you could also let them help. So anyway here it is....

EASY PIZZA-

Pkg. whole wheat pizza crusts (2 comes in one pack)
jar of pizza sauce
Pepperoni ( I used turkey pepperoni)
Any kind of sandwich meat
Mozzarella cheese
Cheddar cheese



1. I start off with whole wheat pizza crusts I buy from Wal-Mart. I think the brand is Mama Mary's. The pizza crusts come in regular and wheat. I buy wheat because my husband is diabetic. I pour a little oil on the crust and spread it all over the crust with a basting brush.



2. I then spread pizza sauce all over the crust, and then cover that with finely shredded mozzarella cheese.






3. Next comes the pepperoni part (your children could help with this part). Cover the pizza in pepperoni.



4. Now here is what most people think is strange. I chop up sandwich meat and put it on top of the pepperoni. I have used ham, chicken, and turkey. Use whatever you have. Top the meat with shredded cheddar cheese.






5. Cook the pizza at 425 degrees for 7-10 minutes. So yummy and easy. I know this will be a winner recipe in your house. :)

Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole

I found this recipe the other while looking through a magazine. I made it and I loved it! Such an easy casserole to make and so yummy, too! I know you will love it, too!
EASY CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE

1 (20 oz.) pkg. hash browns
1 & 1/2 cups (6oz) shredded Mexican four-cheese blend
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 (8oz) container sour cream
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook hash browns in a lightly greased large non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for 12 minutes or until golden brown.







2. Stir together hash browns (drain the hash browns onto a paper towel to drain the excess grease. I didn't do this, and it was a little too oily than I would have liked), 1 cup shredded cheese (I used the Fiesta Blend cheese), and next 6 ingredients. (I didn't put the chives in because I didn't have any, I used garlic powder instead of a garlic clove, and didn't put the pepper in) Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish, and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.







3. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. (I thought that 40-45 minutes might be a little long for this casserole so I set the timer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes the edges were lightly browned and bubbly. So I want to caution you to check it before it at 30 minutes)

Ham, Broccoli and Potato Soup

Hello! I am sure you might be wondering where I have been...to tell you the truth I have been quite busy with the holidays, starting school, and etc. But I am back! With some yummy recipes!!! :D Today I want to share a new recipe with you that my dear friend, Allison shared with me- Ham, Broccoli and Potato Soup! It's absolutely wonderful! And perfect on a cold day! :) So without further delay...here it is...ENJOY! :D








HAM, BROCCOLI and POTATO SOUP

1/4 cup butter
3 cups frozen hash browns
1 cup chopped onion
3 Tbsp flour
32 oz. chicken broth
2 cups milk
2 cups fozen broccoli, thawed
8 oz. pkg. cubed ham
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

(I forgot to take pictures of all the steps so all you get to see is the finished product)

1. Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat. Add hash browns, onion, and garlic. (I used a whole bag of hash browns, onion powder and garlic powder)- Cook for 5 minutes or until tender. (If you use a whole bag of hash browns like I did, use more butter or the hash browns tend to start sticking to the bottom of the pot)

2. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. Stir in broth and milk and cook for 5 minutes. (I didn't have 32 oz. of broth as the recipe calls for so I just put in a little extra milk)

4.Add broccoli, ham, salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

5. Add cream cheese, stirring until melted.

Such a simple recipe yet sooo delicious!