Spanish Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipes

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 SANDWICH

Steps:

• Top buttered toast with green olives and sprinkle with garlic powder.
• Top with cheese.
• Grill or broil and enjoy.

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).

SPANISH "CUBAN" SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for direct and indirect grilling over medium heat. Heat the plancha, or a cast-iron griddle, over the direct heat.
• Spread the mayonnaise on the bottom of the rolls. Top with half the Manchego and ham. Then, top with the Spanish Spice Rubbed Pork Butt and arugula. Top with the remaining half the Manchego and ham. Spread the mustard on the top half of the rolls. Place the tops on the sandwich and brush with the Piquillo Pepper Butter.
• Place the sandwiches butter-side down on the griddle. Place the bricks on top of the sandwiches and cook until the bread is crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully: if the bread browns too quickly, move the plancha to indirect heat and cover the grill to melt the Manchego. Flip the sandwiches over and place the bricks back on top. Continue cooking until the bottom of the sandwiches are crisp and the Manchego is melted, about 3 minutes.
• Blend the butter, piquillo peppers, garlic, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper in a food processor until smooth. Scrape the butter into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours before using. Soften the butter slightly before using.

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.

MEXICAN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute peppers in oil until tender. Spread 4 bread slices with mayonnaise. Layer with peppers, salsa and cheese. Top with remaining bread. Butter outsides of sandwiches., In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sandwiches for 2-4 minutes on each side or until cheese is melted.