Grilled Ham Melts with Gruyere, Apple Butter, Frisée, and Caramelized Onions

prep time:: 5 minutes
total time:: 45 minutes

Makes 2 sandwiches

Contributed by: Mary Jacqueline Atkinson Update the classic combo of hot soup and grilled cheese by serving this luscious ham-and-cheese sandwich with all the trimmings.

ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 1/3-inch-thick slices country white bread or sourdough bread
Store-bought Apple Butter, for spreading
4 ounces thinly sliced smoked ham, divided
3 ounces Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced, divided
2 large handfuls frisée, torn into bite-size pieces (about 1 cup), divided

directions

1
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until onion is very tender and golden, stirring frequently, about 25 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper. Cool slightly.
2
Assemble sandwiches by spreading apple butter evenly on each slice of bread, then layering on the ham, Gruyere, Frisée, and caramelized onions in between the bread slices.
3
Add 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil to same skillet, and heat to medium-low. Add sandwiches, cover, and cook until bread is golden brown on one side. Remove sandwiches and add final tablespoons of butter and oil, re-cover, and cook until second side is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 4 minutes per side. Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

Source: Mary Jacqueline Atkinson