French-style Grilled Ham and Cheese

From Great Grilled Cheese: 50 Innovative Recipes for Stovetop, Grill, and Sandwich Maker by Laura Werlin" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang 2004)

The traditional grilled cheese sandwich of France is the croque monsieur. Consisting of Gruyére cheese and thin-sliced ham, it is usually cooked under a broiler or in a special pan. Although this recipe calls for the traditional cheese and ham, I've embellished it by adding another classic French combination: tarragon and Dijon mustard. Together, these ingredients make for an herbaceous, tangy, and memorable grilled cheese sandwich.

(Makes 4 sandwiches)

• 6 ounces Gruyére cheese, coarsley grated
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon (or ¾ teaspoon dried)
• 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 8 slices egg bread (¼ inch thick)
• ¼ pound Black Forest Ham, cut into 4 slices
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, plus extra for serving

• In a small bowl, mix together the cheese and tarragon. Set aside.
• To assemble: Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices on your work surface, buttered side down, distribute the cheese mixture evenly over the 4 slices. Cover the cheese with the ham, folding it to fit if necessary. Spread the mustard on the remaining 4 bread slices and places them on top of the ham, mustard side down.
• Stovetop method: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Put the sandwiches in the skillet (in batches if necessary), cover, and cook for two minutes, or until the undersides are golden brown and the cheese has begun to melt. Uncover, and turn the sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to flatten them slightly. Cook for one minute, or until the undersides are golden brown. Turn the sandwiches again, press with the spatula, and cook for 30 seconds, or until the cheese has melted completely. Seve immediately, with extra mustard on the side.
• Sandwich maker method: Preheat the sandwich maker. Follow directions for sandwich assembly, and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Gas grill method: Brush the grill rack with oil and preheat the grill to medium-high. Follow directions for sandwich assembly. Put the sandwiches on the grill and follow directions for the stovetop method.

November & December 2006

Photographer: iStockphoto.com/Tomas Bercic

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