Patrick Oconnell
The ham and cheese sandwich is a classic, and there are many ways to elevate it. The type of bread you use can be anything from a simple white sandwich bread to wholemeal seeded bread, a baguette, ciabatta roll, or sourdough. The cheese you use is also important—while cheddar is the most classic, Gruyere, Swiss, and Red Leicester are also popular. You can slice, shave, or grate the cheese, depending on your preference. When it comes to ham, be sure to ask for it to be sliced as thinly as possible. You can add butter, mayonnaise, mustard, or a combination of these to your sandwich, along with fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomato, and dill pickles. If you want to get creative, you can even add Calabrian chili pepper aioli or Thousand Island dressing.
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What You'll Learn
Bread: wholemeal seeded, sourdough, ciabatta, or baguette
When it comes to bread, there are several options that you can choose from to make a ham and cheese sub. Here are some popular choices:
Wholemeal seeded bread
Wholemeal seeded bread is a popular choice for ham and cheese sandwiches. It adds texture and flavour to an otherwise simple sandwich. This type of bread also holds up well to the melting cheese and juicy ham.
Sourdough
Sourdough bread has a tangy flavour and a chewy texture that can elevate your ham and cheese sub. It is a sturdy bread that can withstand the weight of the fillings and the melting cheese.
Ciabatta
Ciabatta rolls offer a crusty exterior and a soft interior, making them an excellent choice for a ham and cheese sub. They have a light and airy texture, providing a nice contrast to the hearty fillings.
Baguette
Baguettes are long, thin loaves with a crispy crust and a chewy texture. They make excellent ham and cheese subs, providing a crunchy bite and a sturdy base for the fillings.
No matter which bread you choose, the key to a great ham and cheese sub is in the preparation and the quality of the ingredients. Be sure to select fresh, high-quality bread, and don't skimp on the fillings!
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Cheese: cheddar, Swiss, Gruyere, or Red Leicester
Cheddar, Swiss, Gruyere, and Red Leicester are all excellent choices for a ham and cheese sub.
Cheddar is the most classic option for a ham and cheese sandwich. It is a good melting cheese and its sharpness will help balance out the saltiness and sweetness of the ham. It is best to use a mature cheddar to pack in the flavour.
Swiss cheese is another great option for a ham and cheese sub. It is a tangy cheese that pairs well with the sweet and salty flavours of the ham. It is also a good melting cheese, making it ideal for a toastie.
Gruyere is a similar cheese to Swiss cheese, and it will also melt well in a toastie. It has a strong flavour that will add a depth of taste to your sub.
Red Leicester is another cheese that works well with ham. It has a strong, sharp flavour that will add a punch to your sandwich.
When preparing your sub, it is recommended to shave or slice the cheese thinly so that it covers the bread evenly and is less likely to fall out of the sandwich.
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Condiments: mayonnaise, mustard, or aioli
Condiments are a great way to elevate a ham and cheese sub. The most popular condiments for this type of sandwich are mayonnaise, mustard, and aioli.
Mayonnaise is a classic choice for ham and cheese sandwiches. It adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that pairs well with the salty ham and cheese. When using mayonnaise, it is recommended to spread it on both slices of bread for even distribution. You can also mix mayonnaise with other ingredients to create a unique flavor profile. For example, you can make a Calabrian chili pepper aioli by mixing mayonnaise with crushed Calabrian chili pepper and honey. This adds a little creaminess, heat, and sweetness to the sandwich.
Mustard is another popular condiment for ham and cheese subs. It provides a tangy and zesty flavor that complements the salty and sweet ham. When using mustard, it is important to use a thin layer to avoid overpowering the sandwich. You can spread it on one slice of bread or mix it with other condiments, such as mayonnaise or butter. Dijon mustard is a popular choice, but you can also use English, wholegrain, or any other type of mustard that you prefer.
Aioli is a less traditional condiment for ham and cheese subs, but it can add a creamy and flavorful twist. Aioli is a garlic mayonnaise that can be made by mixing crushed garlic into mayonnaise. You can also find various flavored aiolis in stores or make your own by adding different ingredients to mayonnaise. For example, you can make a chili aioli by mixing mayonnaise with crushed chili peppers and honey.
In addition to these condiments, you can also experiment with other sauces and spreads such as Thousand Island dressing, olive oil, or butter. You can spread these directly on the bread or use them as a dip for your sandwich.
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Vegetables: lettuce, tomato, onion, or pickles
When it comes to vegetables, you can add lettuce, tomato, onion, or pickles to your ham and cheese sub. For example, you could add iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, or crispy romaine lettuce. If you're using a lettuce with larger leaves, like romaine, try slicing the lettuce very thinly before adding it to your sub.
Tomatoes are another great option. You can slice them thinly or, if you prefer chunkier slices, go for a larger tomato like a beefsteak. If you want to add onion, try using red onion, slicing it thinly, and adding it raw. Alternatively, you could caramelize the onion in a pan first to bring out its natural sweetness.
Pickles are also a popular choice for ham and cheese subs. You can use dill pickle slices, sweet and spicy pickle slices, or even pickled banana peppers. If you're using jarred pickles, be sure to pat them dry before adding them to your sub to avoid making the bread soggy.
When adding vegetables to your sub, consider the order in which you layer the ingredients. For example, if you're toasting your sub in a pan, you may want to add the lettuce after removing it from the heat to prevent it from wilting.
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Extras: salt, pepper, olive oil, or
A ham and cheese sub is a versatile and customizable sandwich. You can keep it simple with just ham, cheese, and bread, or you can add a variety of extras to elevate the flavours and textures.
When it comes to seasoning, salt and pepper are classic additions to a ham and cheese sub. The salt will enhance the sandwich's flavours, while the pepper will add a subtle kick. You can sprinkle salt and pepper directly onto the ham, or you can season the vegetables in your sandwich. A drizzle of olive oil will also add a rich, fruity flavour to the sandwich.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try different types of pepper to add a unique twist to your sub. For example, Calabrian chilli peppers will add a spicy kick to your sandwich. You can mix these with mayonnaise and honey to create a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce to spread on your bread.
When it comes to seasoning a ham and cheese sub, the possibilities are endless. You can experiment with different types of salt, pepper, and olive oil to find your perfect combination.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a soft sub roll, a baguette, ciabatta, sourdough, or a crusty loaf of French bread.
You can use cheddar, Swiss, Gruyere, Red Leicester, provolone, American, Alpine, or goat cheese.
You can add mustard, mayonnaise, black pepper, spinach, arugula, tomatoes, roasted peppers, chopped olives, artichokes, salsa, iceberg lettuce, banana peppers, red onion, or pickles.
You can cook your sub in a skillet or frying pan, or in the oven. If using a skillet, add butter to the pan and cook over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. If using the oven, bake at 425 degrees for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
