It’s all in your choice of ingredients.
There are two things that come to mind when trying to create the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. First, I like to include a protein factor. This guarantees my meat-loving family will gobble it up. Secondly, I try to match the meat with a perfectly, paired melty cheese.
When using stellar ingredients, you only need to include a few to make a great tasting meal. Since I knew I was going to be using Boar’s Head SmokeMaster Beechwood Black Forest Ham, finding the perfect cheese to match the rich, smooth and distinct flavor of the ham was paramount to creating an epic, tasting sandwich.
The ham is naturally smoked with imported German beechwood, a flavor we rarely taste here in America. Have your grocery store deli slice the ham very thin, which is going to allow you to pile on as much as you possibly can between the bread slices.
I decided on smoked Gouda cheese to pair with the smoked ham. Its creamy texture and salty taste elevated the distinct flavors in the smoked ham. Together, on sourdough bread, they are a taste powerhouse and something you need to experience for yourself.
My number one smoke house rule includes pairing food with enough distinction in each bite. This way one flavor is not lost on the other. You will experience that with this grilled cheese sandwich. It’s a smoked food lover’s delight.
Boar’s Head also has their own set of smoke house rules when it comes to creating perfectly smoked meats. It’s one of the reasons this sandwich tastes so darn good!! Starting with such a great product makes my job in the kitchen so much easier, not to mention delicious. They do all the work so I don’t have to.
Do you have your own set of “Smoke House Rules”? Maybe you love to smoke your own meat or you have someone do it for you?
A fancy sandwich maker is not necessary when it comes to making a grilled cheese sandwich. I use this little press to help flatten my sandwich down, but it’s not required either. However, it really is a useful kitchen tool.
Whether you’re watching the game this weekend or you need a quick, but delicious weeknight meal, this sandwich is going to pack on the flavor punch. Fair warning.
You don’t want to miss out on something so easy to put together. Make sure to stop by the deli counter and pick up your ham today.
How could you even pass this stack up? Swoon.
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Epic Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 8 slices sturdy sourdough bread
- butter, softened
- shredded, smoked Gouda cheese
- 24 slices Boar’s Head SmokeMaster Beechwood Smoked Black Forest Ham
Directions
- Butter slices of sourdough bread, one side only. Build each sandwich by layering cheese, 6 slices of ham and more cheese to the unbuttered side of half of the bread. Top each sandwich with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
- Preheat a nonstick skillet over low heat, adding a small amount of butter to the pan. Heat sandwich until bread is golden brown and cheese begins to melt. Flip sandwich over and repeat. Remove from pan when sandwich is heated through. Serve immediately.
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Dear Cathy, epic indeed! Love the Boar’s Head smoked ham. Delicious. Gouda is a favorite too…wish I could reach through and get on delicious bite of that golden sandwich….
Cathy says
It’s a great combo together!
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says
Cathy I am blown away by your use of shredded cheese! Why have we been using puny ole slices of cheese when we could just heap it on?
Cathy says
Ha-ha…so true!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Epic is right! I love the cheesy goodness. I wish I didn’t look at these so early in my day because now I will be craving these all day!
Cathy says
I know exactly what you mean!
Keiko says
I love your use of stellar ingredients to make simple recipes awesome! Your pickle sandwich has made my husband a believer and I have been making your homemade sliders for years.
I sometimes add a light drizzle of honey into my grilled ham and cheese sandwiches.
Cathy says
Oh the honey sounds like a great idea! Thank you.
Sara says
These really do look epic, ham and cheese is a favorite around here so I can’t wait to make these sandwiches!
Cathy says
They so are! Thanks for stopping by to check them out.
Joanie @ Zagleft says
Boar’s Head meats and cheeses are some of my favorites and I love the look and sound of your epic grilled cheese sandwiches. I’ll have to look for that sandwich press too, what a great idea for grilled cheese making!
Cathy says
I agree, they are the best and that press makes it so easy.
Kristyn says
I love grilled cheese sandwiches! This sounds delicious! 🙂
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
Epic is right!! This looks like an amazing sandwich Cathy!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
I love your press and this sandwich is certainly epic! It looks amazing! Love that big ole’ stack!!
Courtney @ NeighborFood says
I looove making grilled cheese for a quick weeknight meal and this one looks perfect!
Karly says
So, how bad would it be for me to eat that entire stack of sandwiches? Because yum.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
This is epic alright!! I need that press!!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Most definitely need to make this for my family soon! They will go crazy for these epic sandwiches!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
This is my kind of sandwich! Crazy good!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Shredded cheese is my secret too! It makes the sammie perfect. This looks down right amazing. Pinned.
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Truly epic! I want this everyday!!
Margi says
Boar’s Head is the ham of choice in our household but I just made grilled cheese with the ham last week but without even thinking I just put on regular American cheese. Good but not as good as what it could have been. Now I wonder how soon I can get away with serving grilled cheese again.
Renee says
Boar’s Head is my all time favorite deli food. Unfortunately I have to go to the priciest grocery stores to find it. BTW, a meunster cheese would be delish with this.
Suzanne nethery says
Added Boars Head sweet pickle chips with horseradish! Superb!