Cheddar With Smoked Ham Poached Pear And Mustard Recipes

CHEDDAR WITH SMOKED HAM, POACHED PEAR, AND MUSTARD

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the sugar, vinegar, 2/3 cup water, star anise, peppercorns, cloves, peperoncino, and cinnamon stick, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the pears, bring back to a simmer, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender. Remove from the heat and cool in the liquid. Unless used right away, transfer the pears and juices to a container. (Keeps in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.)
• Preheat a sandwich press according to the manufacturer's specifications (see Note, page 96). Place 1 slice of cheese on each of 4 slices of bread. Top with the ham, followed by 4 to 6 slices of pear and the walnuts, if using. Season with pepper and top with the remaining cheese. Spread the mustard on the remaining slices of bread, close the sandwiches, and place in the sandwich press (no need to butter the press or the bread). Close the lid and apply slight pressure. Cook without disturbing for 5 to 8 minutes. Open the press and check for color and temperature: the cheese should be melted and the bread golden. If the bread is sticking to the press, allow it to cook for a bit longer and it will unstick itself. If the press seems to generate more heat on the bottom, flip the sandwich halfway through to ensure even cooking (making sure the ridges in the bread line up). Once cooked, remove, cut into halves, and serve.

SMOKED CHEDDAR & HAM PANINI

Steps:

• Cook onions until tender in a skillet prepared with non-stick cooking spray over medium-high heat.
• When onion is browned, add syrup, stirring well, and cook for an additional minute.
• Allow onion to cool. Spread 2 slices of bread with mayonnaise.
• Layer remaining ingredients on top, ending with the second slice of bread on each sandwich.
• Spray both sides of each sandwich with cooking spray before placing on panini grill or in skillet.
• If using panini grill, grill the sandwiches for about 3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
• If using a skillet, cook sandwich over medium heat for about 2 minutes on each side, flipping once, or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. Use a second skillet to weight down the sandwich on top.

GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE WITH PEARS

Steps:

• Layer 4 slices of sandwich bread with 8 ounces Gruyere or other melting cheese, 1 thinly sliced pear, and 8 ounces thinly sliced deli ham; top each with bread.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spread outside of both bread slices with butter. Cook sandwiches in batches, if necessary, until golden and cheese is melted, flipping once, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Cut sandwiches in half and serve hot.

GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH WITH FRESH PEARS

Steps:

• Combine the first six ingredients and spread onto one side of each of the four slices of bread.
• To assemble the two sandwiches: On top of 2 slices of bread, with the mustard-mayo combination side up, layer the ingredients as follows: cheese, ham, pear, cheese - and then top with the remaining slices of bread, with the mustard-mayonnaise side down.
• Next, thinly butter the outsides of both sandwiches.
• Grill for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, cooking until golden brown. Turn and cook on the other side for another 2-3 minutes.