Baked Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Categories: sandwiches

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup hot milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch nutmeg
• 6 ounces Gruyere, grated (2 1/2 cups)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
• Dijon mustard
• 4 ounces baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter–flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Off the heat add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.

3. To toast the bread, place the slices on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.

4. Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, (only put mustard on one slice per sandwich) add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler to low and broil for a few minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Watch it to avoid burning. Serve hot.

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