Spanish Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes

SPANISH GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE WITH GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a blender. Puree on high speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Divide half the cheese among 4 bread slices. Evenly top with the ham and remaining cheese and bread slices. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 of the sandwiches and cook, pressing with a heavy skillet, until golden brown on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwiches, adding another 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Cook, pressing with the skillet, until browned on the other side and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Remove to a plate and sprinkle lightly with salt. Wipe out the skillet and repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and sandwiches.
• Season the gazpacho with salt and pepper, if necessary. Divide among small bowls. Serve with the sandwiches.

SPANISH GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES WITH MANCHEGO AND JAMóN SERRANO

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Spread butter on bread slices, dividing equally. Place 2 bread slices on prepared baking sheet, buttered side down. Top bread slices with half of sliced cheese (1 1/2 ounces each); top cheese with ham, dividing equally. Sprinkle dates over. Top with remaining cheese, then remaining 2 bread slices, buttered side up. Refrigerate 30 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and keep chilled. Peel plastic from sandwiches before continuing.
• Heat panini press and cook sandwiches according to manufacturer's instructions. (Alternatively, heat heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to mediumlow. Place sandwiches in skillet. Place another large skillet atop sandwiches; place weight, such as large can of tomatoes, atop skillet. Cook sandwiches until golden brown and cheese melts, about 4 minutes per side.)

SPANISH GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Spread butter on bread slices.
• Place two slices of bread on baking sheet, buttered side down; top with half of the sliced cheese and ham, dividing evenly; sprinkle with the dates.
• Top with remaining cheese and the two remaining bread slices; buttered side up. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours covered and wrapped in plastic; peeling plastic wrap away before continuing).
• Heat panini press and cook sandwiches according to manufacturer's directions. (Instead of using a panini press you can heat a heavy skilit on medium high heat; reduce heat to medium low and place sandwiches on skillet; place another skillet on top of sandwiches; place a weight on top of skillet and cook sandwiches until golden brown and cheese melts (3-5 minutes per side).