Grilled Ham and Cheese with Fig Jam

grilled cheese with fig jam from Cleveland cooking. The cheese, ham, grilled onions, and fig jam make a delicious upgrade for your grilled cheese.

Grilled Ham and Cheese with Fig Jam

Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: grilled, ham, sandwich, swiss cheese

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 40

Servings: servings

Calories: 869kcal

Author: clevelandcooking

Grilled ham and cheese are delicious to begin with, but when you add fig jam, it takes it to another level!

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Ingredients

6 tablespoons of room temperature butter divided
1 medium onion sliced
1 pound of warm sliced ham about 12 slices
½ pound of swiss cheese sliced or shredded
¾ cup of fig jam
8 slices of a bread of your choice

Instructions

Place 2 tablespoons of butter and the sliced onions is a skillet over medium heat. Cook until golden brown. About 20 minutes
Place 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Make sure the butter melts over the bottom of the whole skillet.
Melt the other 2 tablespoons of butter and brush on one side of 4 pieces of bread. Set aside. This will be the top piece of bread.
Spread 2-3 tablespoons of fig jam over one side of the beard that does not have the butter on it. Add as much grilled onion as you would like next. Place the piece of bread jam side up in the skillet with melted butter.
Layer three slices of warm ham on the fig jam. Then add the cheese. Then add the bread that has butter spread on it. Butter side up.
Check the bottom piece to see if it is golden brown. Turn the sandwich over to brown the other side.
If the other side gets brown before the cheese melts, place the sandwich in your oven to finish the melting.

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I use different types of cheese or jam in this recipe? A1: Absolutely! While Swiss and fig jam are highly recommended for their perfect combination, the recipe encourages customization. You can easily substitute with cheddar and apricot jam, or try brie with a berry jam for different flavor profiles.

Q2: Is warming the ham beforehand really necessary? A2: Warming the ham slightly before assembling the sandwich is highly recommended. It helps ensure the ham is heated through more evenly during the grilling process, preventing the bread from over-browning while waiting for the ham to warm up.

Q3: What kind of bread works best for this elevated grilled cheese? A3: A hearty bread that can stand up to grilling is ideal. While various types like wheat, thick white, Italian, or seeded bread can work, a flavorful rye is noted as the favorite for adding a special touch to the sandwich.

Q4: My bread is browning too quickly, but the cheese isn't melted. What should I do? A4: If your bread browns before the cheese fully melts, don't worry! Carefully transfer the sandwich to an oven preheated to about 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to finish melting the cheese without burning the bread.

Q5: Can I make this sandwich without grilling the onions? A5: While the grilled onions add a crucial layer of savory sweetness and are highly recommended for the full "elevated" experience, you could technically omit them if time is short or if you prefer a simpler sandwich. However, they significantly enhance the flavor combination.

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