Chef Joshua Dineen and Lincoln Land Community College students pursuing their culinary manager certificates and associate of applied science degrees have re-opened Bistro To Go on Tuesdays through Thursdays from now until the end of February. One sandwich on this menu has quickly become a celebrated must-try in just the first few services — the Monte Cristo.
From a storied California mining town to the famous literary work, now a movie, to the tiny island off of the coast of Italy, Monte Cristo conjures up a host of references and nearly as many takes on this storied sandwich.
It is said to be to be inspired by the classic French sandwich, the croque monsieur, which is a hot sandwich made with ham and cheese. According to Chef Dineen, the Monte Cristo “epitomizes comfort food.”
Food historians debate exactly where this sandwich started. Some say Paris was its birthplace; many argue Southern California. Disney certainly played a role in it gaining popularity in the 1960s as it was a featured menu item.
Rest assured, the ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard and raspberry mayo on sourdough, which is dipped, fried crispy and dusted with powdered sugar, make this sandwich the kind of comfort food experience that is sure to brighten up these gray, winter days. Blame the extra calories on your taste buds, as it happens to be the number of taste receptors activated in a single bite that cause the sweet, salt, bitter and acid in its ingredients to work together with the light batter and crispy texture to deliver the rich and delicious balance in this sandwich.
This is one sandwich you do not want to miss. Join us for Bistro To Go at Bistro Verde inside the east entrance of the Workforce Careers Center on LLCC’s main campus in Springfield. Other menu items include loaded parlor chili, crab and corn bisque, spinach salad, and a weekly student led chef special which can be viewed on the LLCC Culinary and Hospitality Facebook page. Learn more, and view the current menu at llcc.edu/bistro-verde.
Also be sure to join us later this semester, March 27-April 18, when the student-run café transforms into a casual, fine dining concept. During this time LLCC’s culinary students offer a full-service lunch experience, and reservations are recommended.
About
Lincoln Land Community College offers credit programs in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management and Baking/Pastry, and non-credit cooking and food classes through LLCC Community Education.
Cooking or food questions? Email epicuriosity101@llcc.edu.