Creamy havarti cheese, ham, smoked turkey, and tangy raspberry preserves make these Monte Cristo Bites an irresistible party appetizer!
Note: This post is sponsored by Castello. You can get creative with any of Castello’s uniquely crafted cheeses. Click here for a $1 off coupon to create your own gourmet masterpiece!
One thing has become abundantly clear during this pregnancy. This baby LOVES cheese. It started with my insatiable desire for cream cheese, quickly advanced to macaroni and cheese, and has finally settled firmly on grilled cheese loaded with banana peppers. Yes, banana peppers. I don’t even know who I am anymore.
At this point, I think I could eat a grilled cheese every single day and never tire of it. Still, I enjoy a little variety in my cheese delivery system, and these Monte Cristo Puff Pastry Bites are giving my beloved grilled cheese a run for their money.
When I discovered the Monte Cristo sandwich in college I instantly fell in love. Stuffed with ham, turkey, and cheese then dunked in egg and pan fried like french toast, it’s a combination that satisfies both my sweet and savory tooth.
I recently got the opportunity to try Castello’s Creamy Havarti Cheese, and the moment I tasted this slightly tangy, extra smooth cheese, I knew it was made for Monte Cristos. Both the texture and flavor of this cheese lends itself well to fruity combinations. Though it was tough not to eat the entire block in one sitting, I knew this cheese was destined for more than just a knife and my mouth.
I decided to stray a bit from tradition and turn the classic Monte Cristo Sandwich into a bite sized appetizer, because bite sized = I can have five. Traditionally, Monte Cristos are served with some kind of fruit topping. I know some of you cringe at the idea of spreading fruit on a ham and cheese sandwich, but trust me, this combo is addictive. Savory ham and melty cheese wrapped in a flaky puff pastry blanket and dunked in tangy raspberry preserves? It’s enough to make you hoard all of these for yourself and grab some store bought cookies for the party instead (<<<No shame).
Made in under 30 minutes, this is an appetizer recipe you’ll definitely want to keep around for last minute parties. Or hey, maybe just lunch today.
Join Our Community
Sign up for the NeighborFood email community to get recipes in your inbox ad free and access exclusive content from us! You can also follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. Made our recipe? Leave us a star rating or comment below!
Monte Cristo Swirls
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 8 - 10 slices ham
- 8 - 10 slices smoked turkey
- 2 cups shredded Creamy Havarti cheese
- 1 egg (+ 1 Tablespoon water)
For the sauce:
- 1/3 cup raspberry preserves
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Thaw the puff pastry until it's easy to work with. it should be cold, but rollable.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to about a 16 by 12 inch rectangle. Top with a layer of ham slices, slightly overlapping, followed by a layer of turkey slices. Spread the shredded cheese evenly overly the meats.
- Starting on the long end of the rectangle, roll the puff pastry up into a log. Use a fork to whisk together the egg and the water in a small bowl. Brush the log with the egg wash, then slice it into 14-16 rounds. Place the rounds on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, leaving at least an inch between each one. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until cheese is melted and puff pastry is golden.
- In a small bowl, stir together the raspberry and dijon. Serve the monte cristo bites warm with the raspberry dipping sauce.
Notes
- The raspberry might seem out of place, but it's the classic pairing with the sandwich and I highly recommend it.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review, Mention @NeighborFoodie, or tag #neighborfoodies!
Note: This post is sponsored by Castello. You can get creative with any of Castello’s uniquely crafted cheeses. Click here for a $1 off coupon to create your own gourmet masterpiece!
Leave a Reply