Ham and Cheese, All Grown-Up
Let’s do some free association, shall we?
Ham and cheese. Charles Bukowski. Grilled cheese. Tomato Soup. Goldfish. Rainy day. Cartoons. Arthur. Heather Has Two Mommies. Elementary school library. Green carpet. Reading nook. Heavy wooden chairs. Dewey decimal.
Serrano ham. Salty. Spain. Gwyneth and Mario. Blondes. Convertible. Windy road. Mountain vistas. Snow-capped. Majesty. How do you solve a problem like Maria?
Petit Basque. Best friend. Semi-soft. Soft-serve. Summer. Sundresses. Patio. Cobblestones. Rickety chairs, wobbly table. Cold beer. Splinters. Hot Dogs.
Quince paste. Adam and Eve. Soufflés. Cheese plate. Gorgonzola. Katy. Vintage dresses. Wedding dresses. Lace. Ribbon. Hot pink.
All of this together? The best ham and cheese sandwich, ever.
Sarah’s Ham and Cheese
makes 1 sandwich (serves 2)
2 large slices country bread
3 ounces Petit Basque, sliced thin
2 thin slices Serrano ham
1 1/2 teaspoons quince paste
1 tablespoon butter
Heat small skillet over moderate heat. Spread quince paste on one slice of bread. Place cheese and ham slices neatly on top. Top with remaining slice of bread. Spread half the butter on top of the sandwich (on the outside); turn over and butter the bottom slice of bread (on the outside). Place sandwich in skillet and cook until cheese is melting and first side is golden brown. Flip, and continue cooking until second side is golden brown. Serve with creamy tomato bisque and mixed greens, and go to bed early.
Lisa (dinner party): I loove quince paste and ham! And coincidentally, vintage dresses and mountain vistas and patios.2 years ago
Kristina: Great free-association! I bet that tastes just amazing.2 years ago
What about eating quince paste with ham, while wearing a vintage dress on a patio and enjoying a mountain vista? Oy! Heaven.2 years ago
Karen: Loved this post — and that sandwich sounds delicious!2 years ago
Brenda Leyland: Sounds pretty yumyum to me too. I don’t think I’ve ever had quince, so that would be a new twist to the traditional ham and cheese.
Too cool for vintage dresses on the patio around here, but I can dream!2 years ago
Betsy: I love Charles Bukowski! I would have come up with Dr. Seuss or something equally silly. You are such a clever girl!2 years ago
Brenda, It’s too cool here, too, but girls can dream…
Betsy, Would you believe I’ve never read Charles Bukowski? It’s just that I had a roommate in college with a copy of Ham On Rye that always caught my eye on the bookshelf for some reason.2 years ago
Ruth @ GraceLaced: Yes! I love this post. I love that quintessential POPness: making decadent something comforting. And, as usual, Sarah, I love the way your brain works…2 years ago
megan: YUM.2 years ago
cate: yes! petit basque. YES!
(also, yes to watters dresses. aren’t they just lovely, nearly all of them?)2 years ago
cate, YES, yes, they are. doing my first dress shopping on friday. gulp.2 years ago
Lauren: Have fun looking for ‘the’ dress!2 years ago
Kristina: Oooo, dress shopping! Will you share when you’ve made your Decision?2 years ago
Anticiplate: I HEART membrillo (quince paste). And, on a ham and cheese. Stunning I am sure.2 years ago