The Ultimate Ham Cheese Recipes

RACHAEL RAY'S THE ULTIMATE HAM & CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Place a medium-size pot over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly whisk the milk and mustard into the butter-flour mixture. Season it with some fresh nutmeg, salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook for about until it thickens up.
• Place four slices of bread on the counter. Spread some of the sauce onto each slice of bread, then lay down some ham, a couple slices of cheese, another smear of sauce and top each sandwich with the remaining bread slices.
• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. In a high-sided dish, whisk up the eggs. Dip the sandwiches in the egg and transfer them to the hot pan. Cook until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side.
• While the sandwiches are cooking, whisk the raspberry jam, white vinegar, EVOO, some salt and freshly ground black pepper in a large salad bowl. Toss the salad greens in the dressing and serve them up alongside the best ham and cheese you've ever had!

ULTIMATE HAM SANDWICH

Steps:

• Spread Homemade Mayonnaise (recipe follows) on a thick slice of crusty white or rye bread. Top with Bibb lettuce, sliced tomato, thick slices of leftover ham, a few dill pickle slices and sliced cheddar cheese. Spread whole-grain mustard on another slice of bread, then close the sandwich.
• Whisk the egg yolk, vinegar and 1 tablespoon water in a medium nonreactive heatproof bowl (glass or ceramic). Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Bring 2 inches water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Set the bowl with the yolk mixture over the saucepan (do not let the bowl touch the water). Slowly whisk until a thermometer inserted into the yolk mixture registers 150 degrees F, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Set the bowl with the yolk mixture in the ice water to stop the cooking; whisk just until the mixture is lukewarm (do not let it get cold).
• Put the bowl with the yolk mixture on a damp towel. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Combine the oils in a measuring cup. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle the oil into the bowl in a thin stream until smooth and thick. If at any point the oil is not emulsifying into the mixture, stop adding the oil and whisk to combine before continuing. Whisk in 1 to 2 teaspoons water if the mayonnaise is too thick. Season with salt. Cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.
• Yield: 1 cup

CHRISTY'S AWESOME HOT HAM AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Spread one side of each slice of bread with 1 teaspoon butter. Place one slice, butter-side down in the hot skillet. Top with Swiss cheese and ham. Spread the unbuttered side of the second slice of bread with mayonnaise and mustard; place it, butter-side up on top of the sandwich. Cook until the sandwich is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side.

THE ULTIMATE HAM & CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Place a medium-size pot over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly whisk the milk and mustard into the butter-flour mixture. Season it with some fresh nutmeg, salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook for about until it thickens up.
• Place four slices of bread on the counter. Spread some of the sauce onto each slice of bread, and then lay down some ham, a couple slices of cheese, another smear of sauce, and top each sandwich with the remaining bread slices.
• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. In a high-sided dish, whisk up the eggs. Dip the sandwiches in the egg and transfer them to the hot pan. Cook until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side.
• While the sandwiches are cooking, whisk the raspberry jam, white vinegar, EVOO, some salt and freshly ground black pepper in a large salad bowl. Toss the salad greens in the dressing and serve them up alongside the best ham and cheese you've ever had!

THE ULTIMATE HAM & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook butter and flour.
• Be sure an adult is nearby to help.
• Set a small saucepan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and let it melt. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened a little and smells nutty, about 1 minute. Do not let it brown.
• Make the sauce.
• Add the milk to the saucepan and whisk very quickly. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture gets very thick, about 2 minutes. Add the shredded cheese, nutmeg, and a sprinkle each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
• Build the sandwiches.
• Lay the bread slices in front of you on a work surface. Using a table knife, divide the cheese sauce between 2 of the slices, spreading it evenly. Layer a slice of cheese, 1 or 2 slices of ham and another slice of cheese on top of the sauce. Top with the remaining bread slices.
• Cook the sandwiches.
• Set a large fry pan over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Let it melt, then tilt the fry pan to coat it evenly. Add the sandwiches. Fry until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes. Use a metal spatula to turn each sandwich and fry the other side, about 2 minutes more. Cut in half and serve immediately. Makes 2 sandwiches.
• Variations:
• Ham, Cheese & Tomato Sandwich.
• Follow the recipe for The Ultimate Ham & Cheese but add 1/2 teaspoon dried basil to the sauce along with the cheese. Thinly slice 1 ripe tomato, push out the seeds and pat the slices dry. Coarsely chop 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the tomato slices. When building the sandwiches, place the tomato slices between the ham and cheese slices. Follow the directions to cook and serve the sandwiches.
• The Ultimate Turkey & Cheese.
• Follow the recipe for The Ultimate Ham & Cheese but replace the Gruyère cheese and ham with cheddar cheese and thinly sliced turkey. Add 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard to the sauce instead of the nutmeg. Follow the directions to build, cook and serve the sandwiches.
• Ham, Cheese & Egg Sandwiches.
• Follow the recipe for The Ultimate Ham & Cheese. After you melt the butter in the fry pan, do not add the sandwiches yet. Instead, crack 2 eggs into the pan and fry until the whites are opaque and the yolks are firm, about 2 minutes. Using the spatula, place 1 egg on each sandwich on top of the ham. Top with the second slice of cheese and bread. Melt another tablespoon of butter in the pan and cook and serve the sandwiches as directed.