retired09's Recipe

Italian Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Category: Lunch and Salads

Makes 4 sandwiches:
8 slices Italian bread, cut 1/2" thick
1/4 cup butter, softened
8 slices Swiss cheese (or your favorite cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches
8 slices deli lunchmeat ham
Fresh basil leaves enough to cover 4 sandwiches
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped garlic

Directions:
In a small saucepan, pour olive oil and add garlic. Heat on very low just till oil is hot. Remove from heat and allow to sit so garlic flavor will infuse in oil.
Slice Italian bread on the diagonal so you have a nice big piece of bread. Spread butter on inside of bread slices. Place ham on microwave safe plate and nuke for 30 seconds to warm it up. Drain any juices and pat dry with paper towels. Place 2 slices on each sandwich, top with basil leaves to cover, then top with 2 slices of cheese. Top with another slice of bread.
Preheat a large skillet on medium/high heat. Brush olive oil on the outside of one side of each sandwich and place in hot skillet, oil side down. Then brush oil on the top side. Brown on each side.

Got this from Rachael Ray's show a couple years ago, and my husband said it's the best grilled ham and cheese he ever had. Although she didn't add the ham. She added a tomato slice. I found it made them a little soggy.