Sandwiches stuffed with ham and cheese are simple to make. But if you want to make a really good sandwich, it's not enough to slip a couple of slices of ham and cheese between two slices of bread. Between baguettes, grilled or baked sandwiches, there are a number of much more creative ways to make a sandwich. Once you have mastered the basics, you can experiment and customize the sandwich as you wish!
Ingrediants
Baguette with Ham and Cheese
- 1 baguette (approx.65 cm long)
- 2-3 tablespoons of butter at room temperature
- 2-3 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
- 230 g of thinly sliced, unsmoked ham
- 180-230 g of gruyere cut into thin slices
- 8-10 gherkins cut lengthwise into thin slices (optional)
Makes 4-8 sandwiches
Grilled Sandwich with Ham and Cheese
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 slices of ham
- 2 slices of cheese (preferably cheddar)
- 2 teaspoons of butter left to soften at room temperature
Makes 1 sandwich
Monte Cristo Sandwich with Ham and Cheese
- 1 egg
- A pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 slices of white bread
- 1 tablespoon of mustard
- 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
- 60 g of baked ham cut into double slices
- 10 g of gruyere cut into strips
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- Powdered sugar to sprinkle on the bun (optional)
Makes 1 sandwich
Buffet Sandwiches with Ham and Cheese
- 12 round white buns
- 12 slices of honey glazed ham
- 12 slices of emmental
- 3 tablespoons of melted butter
- 1 tablespoon of dried and chopped onion flakes
- 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
- A couple of drops of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds
Makes 12 sandwiches
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Make a Baguette with Ham and Cheese
Step 1. Cut a baguette lengthwise in half using a serrated knife
Try to get one that's about 65cm long. You can decide to include the two ends or cut them.
Step 2. Spread the butter on one side of the baguette and the mustard on the other
If you don't like mustard, then just use larger amounts of butter. But make sure it's at room temperature, so it's easier to spread.
- If you can't find Dijon mustard, you can use regular mustard instead.
- To add flavor to the sandwich, use salted butter.
Step 3. Place the ham and cheese on the bottom half of the baguette
You can also add some sliced gherkins to make the sandwich tastier and crunchy.
Step 4. Cover the bun with the top half of the baguette and press it lightly
In this way you will "compress" the ingredients together and you can make the sandwich very compact. However, avoid pressing enough to cause cracks to form on the crust.
Step 5. Cut the baguette into 4-8 equal parts
If the sandwiches are not sticking together, you can insert toothpicks in the center.
Step 6. Serve the sandwiches immediately
If you don't plan on eating them right away, you can wrap them in cling film, squeezing them tightly, and keep them in the fridge until the next day.
Method 2 of 4: Make a Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Step 1. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread
For this recipe, sandwich bread, sandwich bread or even bread prepared with mother yeast is perfect, but you can also use other types, such as wholemeal bread. Do not use baguettes.
Replace the butter with mayonnaise to make it tastier
Step 2. Make the sandwich with the buttered sides facing out
Place one of the slices of bread on a cutting board with the buttered side facing down. Add ham and cheese, then press the other slice on top. Make sure the buttered side is facing up. When it comes to grilling the sandwich, the butter will help make the bread tasty and crunchy.
- The amount of ham and cheese to use does not have to be precise. You can use more or less according to your personal taste.
- Cheddar is a cheese that lends itself well to this type of sandwich, but you can also choose another one, such as Comté, Gouda, Gruyere, Monterey Jack or Emmental.
- Pour some ranch sauce over the ham and cheese before placing the top wedge. This ingredient helps intensify the taste of the sandwich.
Step 3. Cook the sandwich in a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes
Put a pan on the stove and let it heat up. It is not necessary to grease it. Once it has warmed up enough, place the sandwich on the cooking surface and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 4. Flip the sandwich using a spatula and cook for a few more minutes
It will be ready once the cheese has melted and the bread is golden.
Use a sturdy pan to press the bun before turning and just before removing it. This will help you flatten it and eat it more easily
Step 5. Serve the sandwich hot
You can eat it on its own or accompany it with a side dish, such as fried potatoes.
Method 3 of 4: Make a Grilled Monte Cristo Sandwich with Ham and Cheese
Step 1. In a shallow dish, beat the egg with a fork until smooth and homogeneous, then set aside
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Since you will have to dip the bread inside the egg (as if you were making a French toast), make sure the plate is large enough.
Step 2. Spread the mayonnaise on one slice of bread and the mustard on the other
Only one side of the bread needs to be coated. As for mustard, you can use classic or Dijon mustard, which is tastier.
Don't butter the bread. You will need the butter later to grill it
Step 3. Make the sandwich, then press it gently
Place a slice of bread on the counter with the mustard side facing up. Roll out the ham and cheese, then cover them with the other slice, turning the mayonnaise down. Gently press the sandwich to flatten it. This will make it easier to grill.
- If you don't have shredded cheese, you can use 2 slices of cheese instead. Emmental is perfect for this type of sandwich!
- If you don't have gruyere, you can also use other types of cheese, such as Gouda, Monterey Jack, or Emmental.
- Unlike other types of grilled sandwiches, mayonnaise and mustard should be kept on the inside of the sandwich rather than the outside.
Step 4. Melt the butter over medium heat in a skillet
As it melts, rotate the pan to evenly coat the surface. You can also distribute it using a spatula.
Step 5. Dip the sandwich in the beaten egg
Place the sandwich in the egg dish, wait for a few seconds and turn it over to dip the other side. Make sure you soak the bread well.
Step 6. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side
Cook it for 2-3 minutes, then flip it with a spatula and cook for another 2-3 minutes. It will be ready when the cheese has melted and the bread is golden.
Step 7. Serve the sandwich hot
If you want, you can add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top.
Method 4 of 4: Making Buffet Sandwiches with Ham and Cheese
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 180 ° C and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil
Step 2. Cut the sandwiches in half with a bread knife
Some sandwiches are sold pre-cut. In this case, all you have to do is divide them in half.
Sweet rolls would be perfect for this recipe
Step 3. Fill each sandwich with a slice of ham and a slice of emmental
Open the sandwiches, then place a slice of ham and a slice of emmental on each bottom half. Cover the ham and cheese with the top half of the sandwich.
- It may be necessary to cut the cheese before using it to fill the sandwich, to make sure it fits its size.
- Don't have Emmental or don't like the taste of it? You could substitute it with cheddar, provolone, or Monterey Jack.
Step 4. Spread the sandwiches on a baking sheet and set aside
Don't worry if the sandwiches touch each other, but consider that they don't even have to be crammed. If you don't have enough space in the pan, set aside any leftover ones and bake them later.
Step 5. Mix the remaining ingredients in a medium sized bowl
If you haven't already, melt the butter in the microwave or in a saucepan. Pour it into a medium bowl, then add flaked onion, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds. Stir them with a fork or beat them until smooth.
To intensify the flavor, replace the yellow mustard with Dijon mustard
Step 6. Pour the mixture over the sandwiches and let them rest for 10 minutes
During this time, the mixture will be absorbed by the bread and enrich its flavor. You will be able to bake the sandwiches once the butter has started to thicken.
Step 7. Cover loosely sandwiches with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes
Check them after 15 minutes. If the cheese has melted, you can move on to the next step. If it hasn't melted, put it in the oven for another couple of minutes.
Step 8. Remove the foil and bake the sandwiches for another 3-4 minutes
They will be ready once they become crunchy and golden on the surface.
Step 9. Serve the freshly baked rolls
They are perfect for parties and similar occasions when you have a lot of guests.
Advice
- The amount of ham and cheese you use doesn't have to be precise. If you are a ham lover, use more of it. The same goes for cheese.
- You can use any type of cheese. Cheddar is one of the most used, but you can also opt for Comté, Gouda, Gruyere, Monterey Jack or Emmental.
- You can use any type of ham sold in thin slices, but in general we opt for the classic cooked ham. If you want to experiment, Paris ham and Black Forest ham are other great options.
- White bread is best for these types of sandwiches, but you can also use sourdough bread, especially if you plan on grilling it.
- Throw a few lettuce leaves into the baguette to add a healthy, crunchy texture.
