Chicken-Cream Cheese-Nut Cranberry Monte Cristos

Chicken-Cream Cheese-Nut Cranberry Monte Cristos

If you, like me, served a big bunch of family and friends a large Easter dinner yesterday, then I declare tonight to be “Cook’s Night Off!” If, however, like me, the thought of getting dressed, driving to a restaurant, and making polite conversation with other human beings sounds like it would take more energy than you currently have leftover, this AMAZING and easy sandwich recipe will help you get out of the kitchen and onto the comfy couch quick.

Sorry about the long name. I tried to work with just the initials (a la the “BLT”) but “CCNCMC Sandwiches” sounded like robot food.

I also give you permission to eat this buttery deliciousness in your most comfy T-shirt and stretchy pants. Or better yet, just wear your PJs and ratty old robe.  Home chefs that serve big holiday meals deserve to be as lazy as you want to be the next day. Wallow in it, I say!

Feel free to substitute ham if you’ve got lots of it leftover and want to use it in place of chicken or as an addition to it. I am personally a little “hammed out” today.

A vegan version also follows, because I love my daughter and I want her to taste this dynamite flavor combo!

Becky’s Chicken-Cream Cheese-Nut Cranberry Monte Cristos

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 slices good bread (I like the round sliced French boule from Whole Foods, a light and airy artisan bread)

1/2 c. whipped cream cheese (Toffuti “Better than Cream Cheese” if you are vegan)

1/4 c. chopped walnuts, pecans, or pistachios

1 T. chopped green onions

4  slices turkey or chicken  (use extra portion of of chopped nuts in place of meat for vegans)

1/3 c. whole cranberry sauce

2 eggs beaten with a dash milk (vegans use egg-replacer  of choice and 1/3 c. non-dairy milk)

1 T. olive oil

1 T. butter (Earth Balance for vegans)

1/4 c. arugala or other lettuce greens

1 T. powdered sugar

Directions:

Mix whipped cream cheese or Tofutti with chopped nuts and green onions. Spread 4 pieces of bread with this mixture on one side. Lay two slices of chicken or turkey on two slices of the bread. (Add extra layer of chopped nuts in place of meat if you are vegan.) Spread cranberry sauce on the other two slices. Put together to make two chicken-cheese-walnut-cranberry sandwiches.

Melt butter or Earth Balance and oil together in  a skillet big enough to hold two sandwiches. In a wide shallow bowl, beat the two eggs with milk (or substitutes if you are vegan). Carefully dip both sides of the sandwiches in the egg mixture as you would for French toast. Place the sandwiches, gently, into the skillet and let cook at medium heat until one side is golden brown. Carefully turn over the sandwiches and grill the other side (adding more oil and butter if needed.)

Sizzling Sandwich

Cut in half, tuck in a few arugula leaves, sprinkle tops lightly with powdered sugar. Serve with extra dollop of cranberry sauce if desired.