Pitching for a Better Monte Cristo

DEAR SOS: While dining recently at J’s Horseshoe Restaurant in Tracy, Calif., I had the the best Monte Cristo sandwich I’ve ever tasted. Can you obtain the recipe for me?

--DOROTHY

DEAR DOROTHY: The Monte Cristo sandwich was also a big hit with our tasting panel. The nice thing about the sandwich is that you can perform the restaurant trick of assembling the sandwiches in advance and refrigerating them until ready to cook.

HORSESHOE MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

18 slices bread

6 slices turkey

6 slices ham

12 slices Swiss cheese

Mayonnaise

Batter

Oil for deep frying

Powdered sugar

Strawberry preserves

For each of 6 sandwiches, use 3 slices bread, 1 slice turkey, 1 slice ham and 2 slices cheese. Spread mayonnaise on 1 side of slice of bread. Top with slice of turkey and cheese.

Add second slice of bread. Spread with mayonnaise. Layer with slice of ham and cheese and top with third slice of bread, mayonnaise side down. Press gently. Trim crust and cut in half diagonally, then into halves again. Chill until ready to cook.

Dip sandwiches into batter. Heat oil to come 1/2 way up side of large skillet. Add 1 or 2 sandwiches at time, depending on size of skillet, and deep fry over medium heat until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with strawberry preserves. Makes 6 sandwiches.

Batter

1 1/2 cups pancake and waffle mix

1 1/2 cups milk

2 eggs

Combine waffle mix, milk and eggs in bowl and beat until smooth.

DEAR SOS: My family loves Chinese food and I’d give my eye teeth for a recipe for Sweet and Sour Pork, the kind that’s dipped in batter and fried.

--ROXANNA

DEAR ROXANNA: There are numerous such recipes and hope you enjoy this one, originally printed in The Times.

SWEET AND SOUR PORK

2 tablespoons sake

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 pound boneless pork, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 tablespoons cornstarch

4 to 6 tablespoons oil

1 (13 1/2-ounce) can pineapple chunks in syrup

1 large onion, cut into 6 wedges

2 green peppers, cut into 1-inch squares

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced

1/4 cup diced water chestnuts

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup catsup

2 tablespoons vinegar

Cooked rice, optional

Blend sake and soy sauce in large bowl. Add pork cubes, toss lightly and let stand 10 minutes. Drain pork, reserving soy sauce marinade. Roll pork in 2 tablespoons cornstarch.

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add pork and brown lightly. Remove from oil and set aside.

Drain pineapple chunks, reserving syrup. Add enough oil to pan drippings to make about 1/4 cup. Saute onion, green peppers and carrot until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. Add water chestnuts and drained pineapple chunks.

Blend sugar, catsup, vinegar and remaining soy mixture. Pour over vegetables and bring to boil. Blend remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch with pineapple syrup and stir into mixture. Cook until smooth and thickened, stirring occasionally.

Mix in reserved pork and heat just to serving temperature. Serve with hot cooked rice. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

DEAR SOS: As a child, I remember my grandmother taking me to Bullock’s in Los Angeles for a fashion show and lunch. My favorite were the popovers. Do you think you could track down the recipe? It’s been 20 years since I’ve had them and I’d love to share them with my family.

--TRACY

DEAR TRACY: These popped out of our file and we too can’t wait to try them again. The recipe has appeared many times throughout the years.

BULLOCK’S POPOVERS

6 eggs

2 cups milk

2 cups flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

Beat eggs in bowl. Beat in milk until blended. Combine flour and salt. Work butter into flour. Gradually add flour mixture to milk and egg and blend well.

Fill 8 well-greased custard cups. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees 1 hour or until golden. Makes 8 popovers.

Note: If using new custard cups, season to prevent sticking. Cups should be greased and placed in hot oven 30 minutes. Remove old grease and re-grease cups before using.

Only recipes of general interest will be printed. We are unable to answer all requests. Please include restaurant address when requesting recipes from restaurants.