Spanish Grilled Cheese Sandwiches With Manchego And Jamón Serrano Food

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 STYLE PRESSED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to medium. Build sandwiches of sliced peppers, cheese and ham. Place sammies on grill and press with a foil covered brick or weighted down with a heavy skillet and cook to crust and mark bread and melt cheese, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Cut sandwiches into 3 sections each and serve for a simple starter to any meal.

SERRANO HAM AND MANCHEGO CHEESE PLATE

Steps:

• Slice manchego into thin pieces, about the same size as the ham.
• Cut both the serrano and manchego into desired sized pieces.
• Alternating the serrano and manchego, arrange the slices attractively around the platter. Can be assembled up to this point a day ahead and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and garnish with pepper, if desired.
• Serve family style, giving each guest an appetizer plate and fork.

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 GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

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