Bushra Griffith
There are many types of cheese that can be used to make a ham and cheese sandwich, and the choice of cheese depends on personal preference. Some popular options include Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, Gruyère, provolone, mozzarella, and American cheese. When choosing a cheese, consider the desired flavour profile and texture of the sandwich. For a classic option, cheddar is a common choice, while Swiss cheese or Gruyère can add a tangy, nutty flavour. For those who prefer a melt-in-your-mouth texture, Havarti, Brie, or Camembert are excellent choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | White sandwich bread, sourdough, baguette, ciabatta, wholemeal seeded bread, marble rye, pumpernickel, brioche, potato bread, croissant, sub rolls, rustic artisanal bread, crusty bread, focaccia bread, Hawaiian rolls, country white bread, baguette, rustic roll, ciabatta, crusty bread, French boule, bakery Pullman bread |
| Cheese | Swiss cheese, Gruyère, cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, American cheese, Alpine cheese, goat cheese, smoked Gouda, extra sharp cheddar, Havarti, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Saint Agur, Bleu d'Auvergne, Emmental, Fontina, Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano |
| Ham | Deli ham, Black Forest ham, Virginia ham, honey ham, capocollo, prosciutto cotto, Polish ham, leftover ham, spiral ham, chipped ham, ham off the bone, Boar's Head tavern ham |
| Condiments | Mayonnaise, mustard, honey mustard, butter, olive oil, apricot preserves, honey, Dijon mustard, English mustard, wholegrain mustard, pepper, salt, dill pickle chips, Calabrian chilli pepper aioli, Worcestershire sauce, apricot jam, fig jam, berry jam, Dijon mustard, red onion, berry jam |
| Other fillings | Tomatoes, lettuce, onion, pickles, banana peppers, chilli crisp, arugula, baby spinach, caramelized onions, frisée, cornichons, chopped cornichons, fig slices, Granny Smith apple slices, pear, salted butter, avocado, crisp lettuce, tomato |
What You'll Learn
Swiss, Gruyère, or cheddar cheese for a hot sandwich
Swiss, Gruyère, or cheddar cheese are all excellent choices for a hot ham and cheese sandwich. Each of these cheeses has its own unique characteristics and will add a distinct flavour to your sandwich.
Swiss cheese is a popular choice for a hot ham and cheese sandwich. It has a bold flavour and melts well, making it ideal for this type of sandwich. Swiss cheese pairs well with the salty and sweet flavours of the ham, creating a well-rounded and satisfying bite.
Gruyère cheese, a type of Swiss cheese, is another excellent option. It has a nutty flavour and a slightly salty taste, making it a perfect match for honey. When combined with cheddar cheese, Gruyère creates a deliciously gooey and drool-worthy melted cheese filling. The combination of these two cheeses amps up the flavour and takes your sandwich to the next level.
Cheddar cheese, especially mature or sharp cheddar, is a classic option for a ham and cheese sandwich. Its sharpness helps balance out the saltiness and sweetness of the ham. Cheddar also melts well, creating a creamy and indulgent texture. If you're looking for a more traditional take on the sandwich, cheddar is the way to go.
When choosing the cheese for your hot ham and cheese sandwich, consider the overall flavour profile you want to achieve. Swiss cheese offers a bold and tangy flavour, while Gruyère brings a nutty and salty taste. Cheddar, on the other hand, provides a sharp and classic flavour. Each of these cheeses melts well and will create a mouthwatering, indulgent sandwich.
In addition to the type of cheese, consider the bread and toppings you'll use. Sourdough, rustic artisanal bread, or seeded bread are all great options that will add texture and flavour to your sandwich. You can also experiment with toppings such as honey, mustard, butter, mayonnaise, or pickles to further enhance the flavours and create a sandwich that's truly yours.
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Choose the Right Cheese
The right cheese can make or break your sandwich. You want something that pairs well with the sweetness of the ham and the saltiness of the honey mustard. A sharp cheddar is a classic choice and its strong flavour will create a nice balance. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try something like Gruyère, Swiss, Red Leicester, or Havarti? These cheeses have a more subtle flavour that won't overpower the other ingredients, while still adding a nice tanginess. And don't forget to slice or grate your cheese thinly so it melts easily and stays put!
The Perfect Ham
When it comes to ham, ask your deli counter to slice it as thin as possible. This will ensure that the salty flavour doesn't overwhelm the other ingredients. Go for a good quality ham that you've had a chance to sample beforehand. Stay away from pre-packaged ham, which can be slimy and affect the texture of your sandwich.
Potato Bread
Potato bread is a great choice for a ham and cheese sandwich as it has a soft texture and a slightly sweet flavour. Its flat surface area will also ensure even toasting when grilled. If you can't find potato bread, a crusty baguette or a soft ciabatta roll would also work well.
Assembly
Spread a generous amount of honey mustard on the bread, followed by your chosen cheese. Add a layer of thin ham slices and top it off with another layer of cheese. This will ensure that everything stays together when grilled. If you like your sandwiches with a bit of a kick, add some sliced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese. Finally, top it off with another slice of bread and grill to perfection!
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Toasted sandwich with mayo or butter
Toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwich with Mayo or Butter
Ingredients
- Bread: wholemeal seeded bread, white sandwich bread, sourdough, French bread, ciabatta, baguette, marble rye, pumpernickel, rustic round boule, or crusty bread
- Cheese: Swiss cheese, Gruyère, cheddar, Red Leicester, provolone, Jarlsberg, pepper jack, mozzarella, Monterey jack, alpine cheese, or aged cheddar
- Ham: Black Forest ham, Virginia ham, honey-roasted ham, capocollo, deli ham, or boiled ham
- Condiments: mayonnaise, mustard (Dijon, English, or wholegrain), butter, or honey
- Extras: pickles, chilli, banana peppers, or chilli crisp
Method
If you're making a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, you'll want to spread the mayo or butter on the outside of the sandwich. Add it to a non-stick pan over medium heat and fry both sides until crisp, with the cheese melted in the centre. Alternatively, you can use a sandwich press, panini press, or toastie machine.
If you're making an untoasted sandwich, spread the mayo or butter on the inside of the sandwich.
Tips
- Use good-quality ham. Go for a high-quality ham that you've sampled at the deli counter. It should be relatively dry, with no slick or slimy residue.
- Choose a melty cheese with a bold flavour.
- Use slices of bread with a flat surface area so that there's direct contact with the skillet for even toasting.
- Layer the ingredients evenly.
- Let the sandwich rest for a few minutes before slicing into it to avoid a flood of cheese escaping.
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Provolone, American, or cheddar cheese for a cold sandwich
When it comes to a cold ham and cheese sandwich, there are a few types of cheese that are popular choices, including Provolone, American, and cheddar. Here's a detailed look at each option:
Provolone
Provolone is a traditional Italian cheese known for its semi-hard texture and mild, slightly tangy flavour. It is made from cow's milk and goes well in sandwiches, pizzas, and antipasto platters. Provolone melts well, but not as consistently as American cheese, and it may become stringy or oily. It comes in two main varieties: Provolone Dolce, which is aged for 2-3 months and has a mild, sweet flavour, and Provolone Piccante, aged for more than 4 months with a sharper, tangier taste. Provolone is a versatile cheese that can be used in various dishes, whether melted in cooked meals or served cold.
American Cheese
American cheese, on the other hand, is a processed cheese product made from a blend of milk, milk fats, solids, and other fats and whey protein concentrate. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a mild, salty taste. American cheese was originally crafted from a mixture of Colby and Cheddar cheeses and is now designed to melt smoothly and uniformly, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches and creamy sauces. It is a staple in American fast food and is mass-produced, though it is not considered a connoisseur cheese.
Cheddar
Cheddar is a classic option for a ham and cheese sandwich. It has a sharp, tangy flavour that balances out the saltiness and sweetness of the ham. A mature or extra sharp cheddar is recommended to pack in the most flavour. Cheddar also melts well and can be purchased thinly sliced from the deli, making it ideal for sandwiches.
Comparison
When choosing between these cheeses for a cold sandwich, consider their flavour profiles and melting abilities. Provolone and American cheese have mild flavours, while cheddar is sharper and tangier. Provolone and American cheese melt well, but American cheese is designed to melt more smoothly and consistently. Provolone has a semi-hard texture that varies with ageing, while American cheese has a uniformly creamy and smooth texture.
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Extra sharp cheddar with apple slices and mustard
Bread:
For the bread, you can use your preferred variety, such as sourdough, multi-grain, or whole wheat. Toasting the bread is optional but can add a nice crunch to the sandwich.
Cheese:
Extra sharp cheddar is the star of this sandwich. You can shave, slice, or grate the cheese, but shaving it with a peeler creates more even slices and prevents it from falling out of the sandwich.
Ham:
Use thinly sliced ham, preferably of good quality and freshly sliced from the deli counter. Black Forest ham, honey-roasted ham, or Virginia ham would all work well.
Apple Slices:
Choose a crisp, sweet apple variety such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji. Thinly slice the apple to ensure it fits neatly into the sandwich.
Mustard:
A thin layer of Dijon mustard adds a gentle background flavor to the sandwich without overpowering the other ingredients. You can adjust the amount to your taste preferences.
Optional Ingredients:
You can add a spread of mayonnaise to the sandwich for extra creaminess and tang. Additionally, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper can enhance the overall flavor.
Assembly and Serving:
Spread one slice of bread with butter or mayonnaise (or a combination of both). On another slice, spread a thin layer of mustard. Top the mustard slice with a slightly more generous spread of mayonnaise. Layer shaved extra sharp cheddar cheese on both slices. Add the ham and apple slices on top of the cheese. Sprinkle with black pepper, if desired. Close the sandwich with the remaining slice of bread. You can serve it as is or toast it in a pan or sandwich press until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
This extra sharp cheddar, apple, and mustard ham and cheese sandwich is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. Enjoy it as a quick lunch or pack it for a tasty meal on the go!
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Frequently asked questions
There are many cheeses that go well with ham, including Gruyere, Swiss, Red Leicester, cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, American cheese, and goat cheese.
For a cold sandwich, seeded bread or a sub roll are good options. For a hot sandwich, sourdough bread, baguette, ciabatta roll, or a crusty roll are ideal.
You can add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mustard, mayonnaise, or butter.
