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Turn ordinary deli cuts and cheese into a lavish deep-fried treat that gives Bennigan's popular sandwich a run for its money. This mouth-watering combo layers turkey, ham, and gooey cheese between slices of honey wheat bread, all dunked in batter and fried until crispy golden brown.
After trying this many times, I've found that letting the sandwich chill completely and keeping the oil at just the right heat makes all the difference.
Key Components
- For Sandwich:
- Honey Wheat Bread: You'll need three slices for each sandwich
- Deli Turkey: Get the chunky sliced kind
- Deli Ham: Grab some premium thick slices
- Swiss Cheese: Use whole slices
- American Cheese: This melts beautifully
- Fresh Parsley: To sprinkle on top
- For Batter:
- All-Purpose Flour: Make sure to measure it right
- Baking Powder: Gives some fluffiness
- Large Eggs: Let them sit out first
- Water: To thin the mixture
- Oil: For deep-frying
- Confectioners Sugar: For sprinkling
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1. Sandwich Assembly:
- Start with one bread slice and add three turkey slices and Swiss cheese. Put the second bread slice on top, then add three ham slices and American cheese. Cap with the third bread slice. Slice diagonally, wrap firmly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or leave it overnight.
- 2. Batter Preparation:
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, blend water and egg together. Pour the wet stuff into the dry mix, whisk until it's lump-free. If you want it sweeter, pancake batter works too.
- 3. Oil Temperature:
- Get your oil between 325-350°F - this range is super important. Too hot and the outside gets dark while the cheese stays solid. Use a thermometer to get it right.
- 4. Frying Process:
- Take the cold sandwich half out of plastic. Cover it completely in batter. Lower it carefully into the hot oil with tongs. Cook for 4-5 minutes till it's deep golden brown, sometimes you'll need to push it down a bit.
- 5. Final Touches:
- Let it drip on paper towels. Sprinkle lots of powdered sugar while it's still hot. Eat it right away with some raspberry jam and honey mustard on the side.
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Keeping and Serving Tips
These sandwiches taste best straight from the fryer while they're hot and crunchy. If you need to wait a bit, keep them in a 200°F oven for up to 15 minutes. Don't pile them on top of each other or they'll get soggy.
Great Side Dishes
- Bowl of mixed fresh fruits
- Simple wedge salad
- Hot French fries
- Bag of potato chips
- Crunchy dill pickles
- Chilled beer
Sauce Choices
Try these tasty combos with:
- Raspberry jam
- Honey mustard sauce
- Pure maple syrup
- Any berry preserves
- Tangy Dijon mustard
- Spicy sweet chili sauce
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Closing Thoughts
The secret to getting this right is making sure it's cold enough and watching your temperature. Take your time putting it together and cooking it, and you'll end up with the perfect mix of crunchy outside and melty inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why keep it cold before frying?
- It makes sure everything stays together while frying and avoids breakage.
- → Could pancake batter work?
- Totally! Store-bought pancake mix is an easy swap.
- → What oil should I pick for frying?
- Go for vegetable or canola because they handle heat well.
- → Is it possible to prep these early?
- Yep! Prepare and chill overnight, but fry fresh for serving.
- → How can I stop the oil temp from changing?
- Check with a thermometer and tweak the heat to stay between 325°F-350°F.