BRUNCH/ CUISINES/ FRENCH/ MAINS/ SUMMER

Ham Jam and Cheese Sandwich

Hello and welcome to Djalali Cooks! Continuing this week with another easy summer sandwich recipe, we have Ham Jam and Cheese sandwich. This sandwich is based on the Parisian sandwich, jambon-beurre. The jambon-beurre is a very simple sandwich with salted butter and unsmoked ham on a baguette. Today’s version includes a sweet component, so the flavors are more similar to a Monte Cristo. We have cherry preserves, and I have gone one further and added some thinly sliced Gruyère cheese. Let’s get to it!

The Bread

For the bread we have a long, thin baguette, about 24-inches long. This one is fresh baked with a slightly crusty exterior. Slice the baguette in half crosswise; then slice each half in half again crosswise, to make 4 smaller sandwiches. If you want to make 2 sandwiches, like I did, just save that other baguette half for something else. Then slice the pieces for the sandwiches in half horizontally.

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The Butter

The salted butter here is optional, since we are adding cheese. But the butter works as a nice barrier to keep the bread from getting soggy – this is especially good if you’re making these ahead of time. Smooth the salted butter over both sides of each sandwich.

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Pro Tip

When you want thin, spreadable slices of cold butter, use a cheese plane to create nice, even, thin strips of butter that are easy to spread. Simply drag the cheese plane blade along the flat top of a stick of firm, cold butter.

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Cheese Planes

Condiments

Once the butter is smoothed on, spread dijon mustard on one side of each sandwich, on top of the butter. Then spread the cherry preserves on the other sandwich half.

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Ham and Cheese

Use the same cheese plane to slice several slices of Gruyère cheese. Place a few of the slices on the cherry preserves side of the sandwich.

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Thinly sliced deli ham works best for this so that we can create little folded bundles of ham. Use 3 to 4 slices of ham for each sandwich. Just fold or crumple the ham slices and place them evenly on top of the cheese slices.

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Top the ham with the Dijon side of the sandwich.

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And that’s it! If you want to make these ahead, simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to eat.

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This Ham Jam and Cheese Sandwich is so simple, and so satisfying. The salty ham and creamy Gruyère are perfect with cherry preserves and then you have the bite of the Dijon mustard; the soft, yet crusty baguette holds it altogether beautifully, it’s just a great sandwich with wonderful flavors.

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Thank you so much for stopping by today! If you’re looking for another great French-inspired sandwich, try the Pan Bagnat (Niçoise Sandwich). Have a wonderful day, take care and be well. xo Kelly

Ham Jam and Cheese Sandwich

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Dinner, Main Course, Lunch, Brunch French/American
By Adapted from Ali Slagle, via NYT Cooking Serves: Makes 2-4 Sandwiches
Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: NA Total Time: ~10 Minutes

Based on the Parisian jambon-beurre, this Ham Jam and Cheese sandwich is salty, sweet and rich. Simple flavors come together and sing.

Ingredients

  • 1 Baguette (about 20 to 24 inches long)
  • Salted Butter (at room temp, or sliced thinly with a cheese plane)
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Fruit Preserves: Cherry, Peach or Orange
  • Gruyère Cheese, sliced thinly with a cheese plane
  • Deli Sliced Ham, preferably smoked or Black Forest

Instructions

1

Slice the baguette in half crosswise; then slice each half in half again crosswise, to make 4 smaller sandwiches.

2

If you want to make 2 sandwiches, like I did, just save that other baguette half for something else. Then slice the pieces for the sandwiches in half horizontally.

3

Smooth the salted butter over both sides of each cut side of the sandwiches.

4

Spread dijon mustard on one side of each sandwich, on top of the butter.

5

Then spread the fruit preserves on the other sandwich half, on top of the butter.

6

Place a few of the Gruyère slices on the cherry preserves side of the sandwich.

7

Use 3 to 4 slices of ham for each sandwich. Just fold or crumple the ham slices and place them evenly on top of the cheese slices.

8

Top the ham with the Dijon side of the sandwich.

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  • Mari
    June 8, 2022 at 9:35 am

    I really love the idea of putting some jam on it. While other flavors might also be good, I think the cherry is a great choice, especially since I have a jar, and I’m the only one that likes it. My mom and my mother in-law both had cherry trees in the backyard, and when we visited in the summer, we picked a lot of cherries. My mom just liked to eat them and made jam, but my mother-in-law used them in pies and froze them for later use. She made the most wonderful pies and whenever there was a family gathering, there were two or three different pies, and she would exhort everyone to have a “peachen of eachen.” No one ever said no to a small piece of two or more pies. I don’t think they even did birthday cakes. Just pies. Growing up my mom always buttered both pieces of bread for sandwiches, and I never even thought about it until my husband asked why I did it. He never could get me to totally stop it, and he learned to appreciate it when sandwiches didn’t fall apart! Happy glorious Wednesday to my Djalalis, Terry, and the pups. It’s a gorgeous day, Friday is just around the corner, and we are having these sandwiches tonight. That’s a trifecta of awesome if anyone is keeping score. 😊

    • Kelly Djalali
      June 8, 2022 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Mari, I absolutely love anything with cherries! Ice cream, pie…all the sweet things and even savory things like salads. How wonderful to have a cherry tree in your Mom’s backyard. I do hope you enjoy these sandwiches (I am confident they will be a hit!), Have a great day! xo Kelly

  • Terry
    June 8, 2022 at 11:00 am

    Yumm this sounds really good I love the Cherry Jam with the Ham. I don’t think I’ve had butter in a ham sandwich but it’s definitely worth a try. Yes I will majesty this and keep you posted, this is a great summer dish 🤗❤️Mom

    • Kelly Djalali
      June 8, 2022 at 12:13 pm

      Hi Mom, You don’t really even taste the butter, but it does work really well to keep the bread from soaking up too much of the preserves. Let me know how you like it! xo Kelly

  • Pat
    June 8, 2022 at 11:46 am

    This is a good one! I am going to try spicy spread. I have Marianberry-Habanero, or Peach-Habanero.
    Lots of possibilities here. I would not have thought to add jam, Thanks 😊
    Love your outfit of the week, too.

    • Kelly Djalali
      June 8, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      Hello Pat, thanks so much! Spicy fruit preserves will be excellent in this sandwich. Let me know how you like it! xo Kelly

  • Carrie
    June 8, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    Now this is my kind of sandwich, I can’t wait to try it.

    • Kelly Djalali
      June 8, 2022 at 4:40 pm

      It’s a good one, Carrie! I hope you enjoy! xo Kelly

  • Sally
    June 9, 2022 at 2:35 am

    Hi Kelly, first up I couldn’t imagine any sandwich, roll, or baguette without butter added, and plenty of it! So pleased you added it to your baguette. Dijon mustard is a must with ham as is the lovely Gruyère cheese. I’ve not thought about using jam as nice as that may be, Cranberry sauce if I have it in the fridge is what I would normally use. Food for thought next time I make a ham and cheese sandwich. I do have a cheese plane which gets used for all sorts of things, as you said scraping the butter, I haven’t seen the serrated one before though, and that holy cheese knife is another staple here when cheese is being served.
    Happy cooking 🧑‍🍳
    Sally 🤗

    • Kelly Djalali
      June 9, 2022 at 8:22 am

      Hello Sally, I am not sure why but buttering a savory sandwich (outside of a grilled cheese) isn’t super common here in the states. Maybe it fell out of favor. Or maybe it’s a regional thing. Cranberry sauce is a so good on sandwiches. Other jams work similarly, the tartness varying with the fruit. It took me a while to get a cheese plane, though I am nor sure why, but it really does come in handy! Have a wonderful day! xo Kelly