French-Toasted Cheese Sandwiches

NELady's Note:

From Like Grandma Used To Make by Reader's Digest, c. 1996. I omit the mushrooms when I make this, but am posting the recipe as is. You can substitute the American cheese for Cheddar cheese (or sub out the mozzarella) - just use a cheese combination you like!

• Total Time: 23 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 13 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 4.0 sandwic ...

FOR THE SANDWICHES

• 1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine
• 1/2 cup fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 slices home-style white bread
• 4 slices American cheese or 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese or 4 slices monterey jack cheese

FOR THE EGG COATING

• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• 3 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk
• nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. To prepare the sandwiches, in a 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over moderate heat. Cook mushrooms, onion, and pepper in butter until vegetables are tender. Remove from skillet.
2. For each sandwich, layer a slice of bread, a slice of American cheese, some of the mushroom-onion mixture, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and another slice of bread.
3. To prepare the egg coating, in a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg, egg white, and milk. Dip sandwiches in coating to coat on both sides. Wipe out skillet. Coat skillet with cooking spray. In the skillet, cook sandwiches, 2 at a time, over moderate heat until bread is golden and cheese begins to melt, turning once.

Reviews

[bluemoon downunder]

WOW! These were totally, wonderfully delicious. What a superb sandwich filling! As we ate these we could not resist declaring - between mouthfuls - that we want to make these again - and again. :) I just had to add some minced garlic and a generous sprinkling of fresh oregano and thyme. I used butter which I prefer in cooking, the specified cheeses and crusty ciabatta. Thank you for sharing this wonderful - already very favourite - recipe, NELady! Made for Ali Baba's Babes for ZWT 5.

[kittycatmom]

Very yummy! Sort of like a vegetarian style Monte Cristo! We really enjoyed this for lunch. I decided to eat my veggies on the side. Very good! We really will make these sandwiches again! Made for 1.2.3 Hits

[Karen Elizabeth]

Lovely sandwiches, easily put together and very much enjoyed. I didnt use the mushrooms, and added ham to my daughters sandwiches, and tomatoes to those for myself and husband. I loved the addition of onions, and this made a beautifully light snack supper, thank you for sharing this one! Made for ZWT5, Family Picks, Jammin' Java Jivers