Spanish Style Pressed Ham And 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.)

BOCADILLO (SPANISH HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES)

Steps:

• Cut rolls open and toast lightly under broiler or in toaster oven. Smash garlic cloves with side of a knife, place in a small bowl and toss with olive oil to flavor.
• Lightly brush insides and ousides of rolls with garlic oil. Place 4 bottom halves in a large, heavy non-stick skillet. Place sliced tomatoes on bread, sprinkle with oregano, then layer with meat and cheese. Top with upper halves. CLose and press together well. Heat skillet over med-high heat. Lower heat and cook about 6 minutes per side, until outside is lightly crisped and cheese is melted. For crisper, thinner sandwiches, flatten with another skillet or a wide-bottomed saucepan as they cook, or use a panini press.
• Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

PRESSED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• I think simple recipes are the best way to start out the meal. Melted cheese, in any form, is something that everyone loves. I find these sandwiches only make people want to eat more afterwards!
• In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the pressed garlic. Stir to blend.
• Put 4 slices of the bread on a flat surface. Dry any moisture off the mozzarella cheese and put 4 slices on 4 pieces of bread. Sprinkle with aleppo pepper and drizzle with the garlic and oil mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, to taste. "Flake" the thyme off the stems and onto the cheese. Do the same with the rosemary, but more sparingly.
• Cover the cheese with the remaining 4 slices of bread and cut each sandwich in half and in half again, to make 4 individual pieces. Arrange them in a single layer on a small baking sheet or large plate and cover them with baking sheet or plate to weigh them down. Refrigerate the sandwiches overnight. This will make them flatter and better integrate the flavors.
• The next day, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. When the olive oil begins to smoke lightly, add the sandwiches and cook them on 1 side until brown. Turn and cook until brown on the other side. Cook in batches, if necessary. Transfer to a serving platter and season with salt. Top with the pickled scallions and serve immediately.
• The acidity of the vinegar and the oniony "bite" of the scallion make this a brightening element for my cheese sandwiches. I avoid salt and pepper to keep the focus on the acidity of the scallion.
• Put the scallions on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, slice them into thin rounds from the white part all the way through the green part.
• Add the scallions to a small bowl with the red wine vinegar and the olive oil. Toss to combine and set aside for 1 to 2 hours to allow the vinegar to work its magic. The scallions can be covered and refrigerated overnight, if desired.

SPANISH HAM AND CHEESE MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Arrange 4 bread slices on work surface. Spread each with 1/2 tablespoon mustard. Top each with 1/4 of cheese, then 1/4 of ham, folding to fit. Spread 1 tablespoon quince paste on each of remaining 4 bread slices; place bread, paste side down, atop ham.
• Beat eggs in pie dish until well blended. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in each of 2 large skillets over medium-low heat. Working with 1 sandwich at a time, hold sandwiches tightly closed and dip into beaten eggs to coat on all sides. Place 2 sandwiches in each skillet. Cover and cook until bottoms are golden, about 4 minutes. Turn sandwiches over. Cover and cook until bottoms are golden, cheese is melted, and egg coating is cooked through, about 4 minutes longer.
• A Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk; sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

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).