Fried Pies & Fireflies: Lisa's Cristo Panini

This was definitely Apollo when he and Jessica lived with us! :)

My Mom always says I made a sandwich out of

anything she made for dinner until I was 18!

I'm also pretty sure I took a bologna or peanut butter sandwich

to school every day of my life---

not much variety to my palate back then!

I don't eat them as much as I used to, but every now and then,

I just crave a good sandwich!

On New Year's Eve, we went to our favorite

celebration in Fairhope, Alabama.

There's a wonderful little soup & sandwich shop called Sandra's where we always eat at as we listen to the music

and wait for the ball to drop.

Sandra makes the most delicious food!

This year she had a SandyCristo on the menu--her version of a Monte' Cristo. It was delicious!

I've tried to recreate it, with the recipe below.

It's really more like a Cristo Panini--

thus christened the Lisa Cristo Panini :)

Has a wonderful ring to it doesn't it?

Make one tonight for a quick and easy dinner

and enjoy with a lovely bowl of soup!

Lisa's Cristo Panini

The cast of characters...

Bread of your choice
Deli Ham
Swiss Cheese
Plum Sauce
Butter

I know the "true" Monte Cristo is battered and deep fried ususally and is astounding, but we're going to use my little George Forman grill for this one--or you could use a frying pan--
this sandwich isn't that complicated...
It's Wednesday, guys, just go with it...:)

All of a sudden, I've decide to make my Momma one to try,
so I've replaced the unhealthy white bread---

(who is my dear friend--
yes, children--
Mom just can't get over him--sigh..)

with Mom's healthy grain filled bread--
I do love this bread as toast--
so I'm redeemed a bit--
I think...

Just lay those 2 pieces of bread down
and cover each side with Swiss cheese...

Layer the ham on next...

Then the secret sauce that Sandra let me in on--Plum Sauce--
found in the Asian section of the grocery store...

Put the top on...

I put butter on one side and laid it in the grill and then
buttered the other side...
"That's too much butter," you say...
There's no such thing...
believe me...

Close the lid and the magic will begin melting the cheese
to an ooey gooey substance and melding it
with the plum sauce and ham--
and turning the bread and butter into
a beautiful brown, crispy wonder...
sigh..
I told you it was magical...