Make a Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Ham and cheese sandwiches are simple to make. If you can a really good sandwich, however, you'll have to do more than sticking a couple of slices of ham and cheese between two slices of bread. There are lots of creative ways of making a ham and cheese sandwich, from the kind served on a baguette to the kind that you grill or bake. Once you know the basics of making a sandwich, you can experiment with making your own variations!

Ingredients

French Ham and Cheese Sandwich[1][2]

  • 1 French baguette (about 26 inches/66.04 centimeters long)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 8 ounces (230 grams) unsmoked, thinly sliced deli ham
  • 6 to 8 ounces (180 to 225 grams) thinly sliced Gruyere cheese
  • 8 to 10 gherkins , thinly sliced lengthwise (optional)

Serves 4 to 8

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich[3][4]

  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 slices ham
  • 2 slice cheese (Cheddar recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons butter, softened to room temperature

Serves 1

Monte Cristo Ham and Cheese Sandwich[5]

  • 1 egg
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 2 slices white bread
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • ¼ pound (55 grams) thick sliced baked ham
  • ¼ ounce (8 grams) shredded gruyere cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • powdered sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Serves 1

Ham and Cheese Party Sliders[6]

  • 12 white dinner rolls (I used Hawaiian rolls)
  • 12 slices honey ham
  • 12 slices Swiss cheese
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon dried, minced onion flakes
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Serves 12

Steps

Making a French Ham and Cheese Sandwich

  1. Cut a baguette in half lengthwise using a serrated knife.[2] Try to get one that is about 26 inches (66.04 centimeters) long.[1] You can choose to include the heel, or cut it off.[7]
  2. Spread butter on one side of the baguette and the mustard on the other. If you don't like mustard, then simply use more butter instead.[7] Make sure that the butter is at room temperature, however; this will make it easier to spread.
    • If you can't find any Dijon mustard, you can use regular mustard instead.
    • For extra flavor, use salted butter.[7]
  3. Layer the ham and cheese on the bottom half of the baguette. For extra flavor and crunch, you can add some slicked cornichons as well.
  4. Cover the sandwich with the top half of the baguette and press down on it lightly. This will "seal" the sandwich and help keep it together. Don't press down so hard that the crust cracks, however.[2]
  5. Cut the sandwich into 4 to 8 equal-sized portions. If the sandwiches are not holding together, you can stick a sandwich/club frill toothpick down the center of each one.
  6. Serve the sandwiches immediately. If you won't be eating them right away, you can wrap them up tightly with plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge for the next day.[1]

Making a Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

  1. Spread some butter on one side of each slice of bread. White, French, or sourdough sandwich bread will work great for this, but you can also use other types as well, such as wheat. Do not use baguette for this.
    • For a tasty twist, use mayonnaise instead of butter.[8]
  2. Assemble the sandwich, with the buttered sides of the bread on the outside. Place one of the bread slices, buttered-side-down on the cutting board. Layer the ham and cheese on top, then press the final bread slice on top. Make sure that the buttered side is facing up. When you grill the sandwich, the butter will help make the bread nice and crispy.[9]
    • The number of slices of ham and cheese does not have to be exact. You can use more/less of ham or cheese depending on your personal taste.
    • Cheddar is the most popular choice, but you can also use other cheeses as well, such as Comté, Gouda, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Swiss.
    • For an added punch of flavor, add some ranch dressing on top of the ham and cheese before you put the final slice of bread down.[10]
  3. Cook the sandwich on a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Place a skillet on the stove and let it get hot; you do not need to add any butter on it. Once the skillet is hot enough, place the sandwich on it and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Flip the sandwich over using a spatula, then cook it a few minutes more. The sandwich is ready when the cheese melts and the bread turns golden brown.[4]
    • Use a heavy pot to press the sandwich down before you flip it and just before you take it off the skillet. This will flatten the sandwich and make it easier to eat.[11]
  5. Serve the sandwich while it is still warm. You can serve it as it is, or add a side, such as chips or fries.

Making a Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich

  1. In a shallow dish, beat the egg with a fork until it is smooth, then set it aside. Season the egg with a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste. You will be dipping the bread in this, like making French toast, so make sure that the dish is big enough.
  2. Coat one slice of bread with mayonnaise and the other slice with mustard. You are only coating one side, not both. For the mustard, you can use plain yellow mustard, or the more flavorful Dijon mustard.
    • Don't use the butter on the bread. You will be using it for grilling later on.
  3. Assemble the sandwich, then gently press down on it. Place one of the bread slices down on the counter, with the mustard side facing up. Layer the ham and cheese slices on top, then cover it with the remaining slice, mayonnaise-side-down. Gently press down on the sandwich to flatten it. This will make it easier to grill.
    • If you don't have any shredded cheese, you can use 2 slices of cheese instead. Swiss will taste great![12]
    • If you don't have Gruyere, you can use other types of cheese as well, such as Gouda, Monterey jack, or Swiss.
    • Unlike other grilled sandwiches, you are keeping the mayonnaise/mustard on the inside of the sandwich instead of the outside.
  4. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. As the butter melts, tilt the skillet around so that it coats the surface evenly. You can also spread it around using a spatula.
  5. Dip the sandwich into the beaten egg. Place the sandwich into the egg dish, wait a few seconds, then flip it over and dip the other side into the egg. Make sure that the egg soaks into the bread.
  6. Place the sandwich into the skillet, and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Cook the sandwich for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip it over using a spatula. Cook it for another 2 to 3 minutes. The sandwich is ready when the cheese melts and the bread turns golden brown.[5]
  7. Serve the sandwich while it is still hot. If you'd like, you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top.[12]

Making Ham and Cheese Party Sliders

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. Cut the dinner rolls in half with a bread knife. Some dinner rolls may already come precut. If this is the case for your rolls, all you have to do is pull them apart in half.
    • "Hawaiian" or sweet rolls would be great for this recipe![6]
  3. Place a slice of ham and Swiss cheese inside each roll. Open up the rolls, and place a slice of ham and Swiss on each bottom half. Cover the ham and cheese with the top half of the roll.
    • You may have to cut the cheese and then layer it inside the rolls to ensure that it fits.[6]
    • Don't have Swiss or can't stand the taste? Cheddar, Colby jack, or Monterey jack instead![6]
  4. Arrange the rolls on a baking sheet, and set them aside. It is okay if the rolls are touching, but they shouldn't be crammed together either. If you don't have enough room on your baking sheet, set the remaining rolls aside and plan to bake them in a separate batch.
  5. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. If you have not already, melt the butter in the microwave or in a little saucepan on the stove. Pour it into a medium-sized mixing bowl, then add the onion flakes, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds. Stir them together with a fork or whisk until everything is evenly combined.
    • For a more complex flavor, use Dijon mustard instead of yellow mustard.[13]
  6. Pour the mixture over the sandwiches, then let them sit for 10 minutes. During this time, the mixture will soak into the bread and give it more flavor. You are ready to bake the rolls when the butter starts to set.[6]
  7. Cover the rolls loosely with aluminum foil and bake them for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, take a peek at the rolls. If the cheese is melted, you are ready for the next step. If the cheese is not melted, bake the rolls for another minute or two.
  8. Remove the foil, and bake the rolls for another 3 to 4 minutes. They are ready when the tops turn golden and crispy.
  9. Serve the rolls straight out of the oven while they are still warm. They are perfect for parties when you have to serve lots of people.

Tips

  • The amounts of ham and cheese don't have to be exact. If you really like ham, use more ham! If you  really like cheese, use more cheese!
  • You can use just about any type of cheese. Cheddar is the most popular choice, but you can use other types as well, such as Comté, Gouda, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Swiss.
  • You can use any type of thinly-sliced deli ham, but most sandwich makers prefer Jambon  de Paris. Blackforest ham is another great choice!
  • Plain, white bread is the best choice for these types of sandwiches, but you can also use sourdough, especially if you are grilling it!
  • For a healthy crunch, add some lettuce to your French baguette sandwich.

Things You'll Need

Making a French Ham and Cheese Sandwich

  • Cutting board
  • Bread knife
  • Knife

Making a Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

  • Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Knife

Making a Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich

  • Shallow dish
  • Fork
  • Knife
  • Skillet
  • Spatula

Making Ham and Cheese Party Sliders

  • Large baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Bread knife
  • Medium-sized mixing bowl
  • Fork or whisk

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-a-very-french-ham-and-cheese-baguette-233261
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/baguette-with-french-ham-gruyere-and-cornichons.html
  3. ↑ http://www.food.com/recipe/grilled-ham-cheese-sandwich-125826
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/2016/03/grilled-ham-and-cheese-with-honey-mustard-sauce.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://shewearsmanyhats.com/monte-cristo/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2014/06/baked-ham-and-swiss-sliders.html
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/article/arcade-ham-and-cheese
  8. ↑ http://cookandbemerry.com/the-ultimate-grilled-cheese-sandwich/
  9. ↑ http://noblepig.com/2015/09/epic-grilled-cheese-sandwich/
  10. ↑ http://creativesavingsblog.com/recipe-box/grilled-ham-and-cheese-sandwich/
  11. ↑ http://itsalovelylife.com/best-ever-ham-and-cheese-sandwiches/
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://www.reneeskitchenadventures.com/2016/04/monte-cristo-style-grilled-cheese.html
  13. ↑ http://momsneedtoknow.com/hawaiian-ham-cheese-sliders/
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