Kick It Up A Notch Ham And Cheese Food

CROQUE MONSIEUR (FRENCH HOT HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan).

GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• To assemble the sandwiches, butter both sides of each slice of bread. Then lay the ham and cheese on one slice and cover with a second slice of bread. Trim the crusts off the sides of the sandwiches. Heat a saute pan over medium low heat, then fry the sandwiches until the cheese starts to melt and the sandwiches are golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. You may need to add more butter to the pan. Remove the sandwiches to paper towels to drain, let them cool for 1 minute, then cut into quarters diagonally and serve 3 quarters each per serving;

GROWN UP HAM AND CHEESE FINGER SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring water, vinegar and brown sugar to a boil. Add the onions and remove from the heat. Cover, and set aside until the onions come to room temperature.
• Trim the crusts off the bread and cut the bread into thirds, for 3 rectangles per piece. Lightly brush both sides of the bread pieces with olive oil and lay out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until just crisp and lightly brown, about 5 minutes. Cool.
• To assemble: Quarter, core, and very thinly slice the apple, (a mandolin is terrific for this). Very thinly slice the cheese into triangles or shards that will fit nicely on the bread.
• Place a dab or smear of mustard on the bread. Place a piece of apple, cheese and 1 or 2 sprigs of watercress on each piece of toasted bread. Wrap a small piece of prosciutto around each stack to make a neat package. Top with a little bit of the pickled onions, a drizzle of olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve at room temperature.

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

KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9 by 2-inch square baking dish with the butter. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese, 1 cup of the White Cheddar cheese, the ham and the tater tots. Mix the mixture thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

KICK IT UP A NOTCH MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook elbow noodles according to directions.
• While the pasta is cooking cut 16 oz block of cheese into small cubes and slice the Velveeta into pieces.
• Drain the pasta when done, do not rinse.
• Return the pasta to the pot; add butter, milk, cheese cubes and slices to the hot pasta. Mix well until the Velveeta is melted.
• The mixture will be soupy and the cubes of cheese will not be melted completely.
• Add the peppers and salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour in baking dish. Cover with the 8 oz of cheddar that has been shredded.
• Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Top should be browned and pasta should be set.