This recipe for the most delightful open face sandwiches has been a great party food idea that has been in my family for years, first introduced by my brilliant sister-in-law who owns a wildly popular bakery. I hope with an introduction like that, you realize you must drop everything you are doing and whip up a batch this instant! That’s exactly what I did when I put together an Easter Egg Decorating Dinner Party for a group of girlfriends and these babies did not disappoint.
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 1/4 Cup Flour
- 2 Cups Milk
- Salt and Pepper to Flavor
- 1 Loaf Country French or Rustic bread, sliced thick
- Thick Sliced Ham (we use Boar's Head, no preservatives or nitrates!)
- 3/4 lb. Gruyere Cheese, sliced
- Sun Dried Tomatoes (in oil)
Melt butter in medium sized saucepan. Add flour and let cook for approximately 1 minute to get rid of the flour taste. Whisk milk into butter mixture and cook over medium-high heat until bubbly and starts to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat. Sauce will thicken upon standing.
To assemble sandwich: Spread a generous layer of white sauce on a slice of bread. Place a slice of ham on bread and top with sun dried tomatoes. Top with thinly sliced Gruyere cheese and place on a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or tin foil lightly sprayed with olive oil.
Bake in a 400° oven for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Enjoy your newest addiction!
These sandwiches are great the next day for leftovers, a perfect meal for a friend or neighbor, and I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like this sophisticated take on a ham and cheese sandwich. Use them for a brunch, lunch, dinner, or just a snack when you need a comfort food fix!Be sure to check-out all of the details on hosting an Easter Egg Decorating Dinner Party and some great Easter Egg Decorating Ideas.