Monte Cristo Sandwich

Sometimes, nothing but a sandwich will do. Here's a healthier version of a sandwich I loved (and ate everyday) when I was working at my first job and could get whatever I wanted from the lunch counter menu. The original was topped with syrup and jam, but I like this version with a sprinkle of sugar and fresh fruit on top.

Ingredients:

2 slices whole grain bread
1 tsp. butter plus
2 slices turkey breast
2 slices ham
2 slices Swiss cheese
2 eggs
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp butter plus
1 tsp powdered sugar
1 large strawberry, sliced

Directions:

Spread 1 teaspoon of the butter plus on the inside of each piece of whole grain bread. Make a sandwich by layering the turkey, ham, and cheese on the bread. Cut the crusts off of the bread, and cut the sandwich in half diagonally. Combine the eggs with the milk in a shallow pan (I usually use a pie plate). Dip each half of the sandwich in the egg mixture, being sure to coat all surfaces with the egg. Heat a nonstick skillet to medium high heat, adding the second teaspoon of the butter plus. Cook the sandwich on all sides until golden. To serve, top with the powdered sugar and fruit.

Serves 1 sandwich, enough for one hungry person or two not so hungry people.

Stealthy Cooking Tip: The original recipe for this sandwich calls for deep frying. This recipe uses a small amount of oil and butter to brown the egg mixture, which mimics the look of deep frying. The taste is comparable, without the added fat from deep frying. Also, look for fresh sliced turkey breast and fresh sliced ham at your deli counter, or slice your own from leftovers. Freshly sliced meats can be healthier than regular lunch meat, as freshly sliced frequently don't have the preservatives found in some lunch meats.