Monte Cristo Sandwiches

For lunch today I decided to make Monte Cristo Sandwiches. A combination of smoked gouda, turkey, and ham was layered on sourdough bread. The signature characteristic of a Monte Cristo is jam. Andy's had raspberry jam; mine had pepper jelly. Yum! A terrific combination with the smoky, creamy cheese. Andy really liked his, but he said he never wants to see me make them because "it's too weird." (He has a similar policy about anything with mayonnaise in it. He likes how it tastes in dips, etc., but he doesn't want to actually be confronted with the idea that he's eating mayo.)

Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Sourdough bread slices
Raspberry jam or red pepper jelly
Sliced smoked gouda
Sliced turkey
Sliced ham
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper
1 Tbsp. butter

1. Spread one side of each bread slice with jam or jelly. Layer half of bread slices, jam sides up, with gouda, turkey, ham, and then another slice of gouda. Top with remaining bread slices, jam sides down.
2. In a shallow dish, combine eggs and next 3 ingredients. Dip sandwiches, on both sides, in egg mixture.
3. Melt butter in a skillet or on a grill pan. Cook sandwiches at medium heat on each side until golden and cheese melts.