Whether you are looking for a new dinner idea or different lunch sandwich option, this one will check all the boxes! I used Bartlett pear in this recipe because I love the authentic pear taste, buttery texture, and high juice content. Ham is always good with a sweet fruit, and this is a perfect marriage of flavors. The peppery arugula, Dijon and tangy Manchego add the savory element needed to make this sandwich an experience to remember!
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 8-slices of thick crusty bread
- 1 lb. of deli sliced ham
- 1 ripe Joyfully™ Grown Bartlett pear, sliced thin
- 2 cups of arugula
- 6oz wedge of Manchego cheese sliced thin
- 2 tbsp. Dijon
- 2 tbsp. Mayonnaise
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp. butter (for grilling)
Directions:
- Butter the 8-slices of bread (the side that you will be grilling) and set aside for assembly.
- Mix the Dijon, Mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a bowl, set aside for assembly.
- Assemble, by layering, bread, mayonnaise/Dijon spread, pear, arugula, ham, Manchego cheese, more pear and top with another slice of bread, butter side up!
- Heat a grill pan on medium-high heat. When hot, add your assembled sandwiches, buttered side down, into the pan and turn to medium-low. This is a thick sandwich, so low and slow, is the best choice. I like to take a heavy lid from a cast iron pot to “smash” the sandwiches down and help circulate the heat.
- When the sandwiches are golden toasty brown on one side, carefully flip over and grill the other side. I like to do an additional two flips to ensure that everything in the center is hot and melty.
- Remove grilled sandwiches from the grill pan, cut in half with a serrated knife and enjoy!
Recipe By: Valerie Musser of @valeriesofcoursecatering & @whosagoodlizard
