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Meat, Busy evenings

Savory French toast with ham and cheese, side salad

Savory French toast with ham and cheese is a dish for 4 people, ready in 30 minutes, very easy to make, for €1.70 per person. Slices of stale country bread soak in an egg and milk custard, get pan fried in butter, then get sandwiched with ham and melted Swiss cheese. The key is soaking the bread just long enough to absorb the custard without falling apart.

Tonight, we rescue the stale bread with savory French toast, pan fried with ham and melty cheese.

Savory French toast with ham and cheese, side salad
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.70
Calories per person
710 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Savory French toast takes the familiar idea of soaking stale bread in custard and turns it into dinner instead of dessert. Here, no sugar or cinnamon, just a warm ham and cheese sandwich, pan fried in butter until golden. A pinch of nutmeg in the custard adds just enough warmth without covering up the melted cheese.

This is the kind of recipe you pull out on a weeknight when you've got leftover bread going stale and zero energy for anything complicated. Kids love the grilled cheese vibe, and the whole family appreciates the fresh salad on the side cutting through the richness. Mon Chou turns to this one specifically to never waste a bit of bread.

The ingredients

4 people

Bakery

  • Stale country bread 8 slices

Dairy

  • Eggs 4
  • Milk 30 cl
  • Shredded Swiss cheese 120 g
  • Butter 40 g

Butcher

  • Ham 4 slices

Pantry

  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Wine vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lettuce 1

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Beat the eggs with the milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a shallow dish.

    Add very little salt, the ham and cheese are already salty.

  2. Soak the bread slices for one minute on each side. 3 min

    Press the bread gently to spread the custard through it.

  3. Brown the slices in butter over medium heat until golden. 8 min

    The butter shouldn't turn brown, add a splash of oil if needed.

  4. Top half of the slices with ham and Swiss cheese, then cover with the remaining slices like a sandwich.

    Fold the ham in so it doesn't hang over the edge.

  5. Melt the cheese covered for one minute in the pan, then serve with the dressed salad. 3 min

    Put a lid on, the cheese melts all the way through.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a dense country loaf, sliced sandwich bread soaks up too much custard too fast and falls apart in the pan.
  • Drain the slices well before they hit the pan, otherwise they release too much liquid and steam instead of browning.
  • If you're cooking several slices at once, use two pans or work in batches so every sandwich browns evenly on both sides.

The variations

  • Swap the ham for prosciutto or cooked bacon bits for a stronger flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, fill with cheese and well drained cooked spinach instead of ham.
  • For a kid friendly, speedy option, cut the finished sandwiches into triangles like grilled cheese, perfect for eating with your hands.

What to serve it with

  • Well dressed green salad
  • Vegetable soup to start
  • Applesauce for dessert

Storage

Savory French toast keeps for 1 day in the fridge in a sealed container, though it loses its crispness fast. It doesn't freeze well because of the soaked bread's texture. Reheat it in a pan over low heat rather than in the microwave to bring back some crunch.

Questions about this dish

Can I use a different bread than country bread?

Yes, stale baguette or slightly dry sandwich bread both work well. Just avoid very fresh bread, it falls apart when soaked in the custard.

Can I make the egg custard ahead of time?

You can whisk the eggs, milk and spices a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Only dip the bread right before cooking, not earlier.

Can I swap the Swiss cheese for something else?

Yes, Gruyere or shredded mozzarella melt just as well. Pick a cheese that melts smoothly so the center stays gooey.

How do I keep the bread from tearing when I flip it?

Use a wide spatula and flip only once, when the bottom is golden brown. Bread that isn't oversoaked holds together much better in the pan.

How long does it take to make a savory French toast with ham and cheese, served with a side salad?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a savory French toast with ham and cheese, served with a side salad?

About 710 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a savory French toast with ham and cheese, served with a side salad cost?

About €1.70 per serving, or €6.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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