This is a sponsored post. My opinions are my own.
I’ve found that as I have gotten older, I’ve learned to savor the simplicity – from the recipes I am drawn to, ingredients I choose to play with, the books I read or even the fashion I choose for the day to day. Some of my best memories are of just relaxing with friends and family – whether at home or out on vacay and the conversations and laughter that ensues.
We have these lovely farmer’s markets here in Philly that I adore. You can meet the people from the farms where the food comes from, the local producers who make some of the best pantry staples you will ever taste and chat with other people who enjoy the same. I love trying new and different things and recently I’ve been a bit more adventurous with my food pairings – especially sweet and savory. Some sweet and savory pairings that are oh so good (besides the brown sugar and black pepper bacon which I swear by, all things Mexican chocolate and that chocolate bacon candy bar that may or may not be in my desk for those “break for emergency moments”) are:
Fresh Fruit with A Bit of Ancho Chile Powder, and

my personal favorite – Apples with Extra Sharp Cheddar and Blue Stilton Cheese

Sometimes the oddest combinations can be the most delicious!
One other sweet and savory pairing I have loved since I was a child was the Monte Carlo sandwich – turkey, ham and cheese, griddled french toast style with a touch of sweet jam for dipping – delicious. I decided to spotlight the lovely Farmer’s Garden Pickles in a Cuban Monte Cristo Sandwich. Having loved Cuban Sandwiches for years – that spicy mustard, sweet ham, roast pork and melted swiss accented by that sweet and tart pickle is sandwich perfection in my book. Now – this sandwich made Monte Cristo style with a bit of blackberry jam to bring the sweet – oh my heavens you have GOT to try this!
On to the recipe:
Gather your ingredients

Which pickles to choose – zesty garlic or classic kosher – decisions decisions

Time to assemble the sandwich

Let’s Press The Sandwich a Bit

A quick dunk in the egg wash

Paired with some blackberry jam for a sweet finish – this Cuban Monte Cristo is perfect for dinner!

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