There really is something super special about a grilled cheese sandwich—the golden-brown crust, the way the cheese melts just right, and the way everything in the middle seems to pop with flavor in every single bite—not all that easy to beat. And one sandwich that does hold its weight when properly grilled is a ham and egg melt. That is a classic combination but, prepared with care, is completely remarkable.
The Basics:
The general structure of a Ham & Egg Melt is pretty basic—bread, ham, egg, cheese— but that's not to say that the resulting sandwich is likely to be pedestrian. Each and every ingredient contributes something to the end flavor: the bread provides a crunch, the ham a salty impression, the egg an unctuous layer, and the cheese ties it all up with a molten umami bow.
The Best Bread:
Basis of a good sandwich: bread. For the Ham & Egg Melt, you are going to want something that is sturdy and will hold up to being grilled; limp, or a soft bread that will fall apart when toasted, will not work. A good sourdough or whole-grain bread is a good, healthy choice for this. This sort of bread is generally nice and robust in its structure, which crisps up when grilled, giving you that delightful crunch with every bite.
The ham is the star of the sandwich, so you'll want to select a good cut of meat. A thinly sliced, smoked ham is best, striking a nice balance of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. You'll want to warm this up very slightly before you put it in your sandwich. This releases the flavors and ensures that the ham will be heated through once your sandwich is grilled.
The Perfect Egg
The eggs give it a soft, creamy texture that complements the ham properly. For Ham & Egg Melt, the best egg is fried or scrambled. If you are frying the egg, have the yolk slightly runny. This gives a creamy, saucy consistency, which results in an enhanced taste of the whole sandwich. If you are using scrambled eggs, then keep them silkily tender by making them just enough so they're not hard and dry.
The cheese kind of sticks the ham and the egg together in the middle. A good melting cheese would be great here: cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella. These melt smoothly and have a flavor that goes well with ham and egg. The triple secret to executing the cheese to perfection: put cheese on the bread directly, layer ham and add another piece of cheese, then top the cheese with the egg. This way, the cheese all grills together at once with the rest of the ingredients in the best creamiest flavors.
Grilling the Sandwich
The main process: grilling of the sandwich. Grilling goes beyond mere sandwich heating. The bread becomes toast and golden in color, as the cheese hence gets a perfect melt and through this process, the flavors of the ham and egg infuse with each other.
For grilling the sandwich:
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.Apply a dab of butter or oil inside so your sandwich gets that wonderful, gorgeous, golden-brown crust.
Place the sandwich in the skillet and push down with a spatula; this single move will ensure its even cooking and the melting of cheese. Grill each side for 34 minutes or until it's crispy on the outside, and all cheese inside has melted. Flavor Harmony
A great Ham & Egg Melt is all about balance. Salty ham, rich egg, creamy cheese, and crunchy bread are all playing well with each other. Of course, there is always room for personal touches: a hint of mustard or mayonnaise added to a slice of ham to give it some zing or a touch of pepper or hot sauce for a punch. The key is to find out the right combination that works just right for you.
Serving the Sandwich
Remove from the pan when the sandwich is done. The Ham & Egg Melt is best eaten fresh out of the pan. Slice it in half, and you will be able to see the warm, melted cheese and all of the layers of ham and egg. Serve it right alongside a simple house salad or a cup of soup for a meal, or on its own for a complete breakfast or lunch.
Conclusion:
Few Ingredients, Excellent Results.The Ham and Egg Melt is testament to the fact that minimal care in preparation of simple ingredients can result in an exquisite final product. The grilling surprises the flavors and adds texture that gives each bite a satisfying crunch. Whether prepared for yourself or to serve someone else, proper grilling results in perfection every single time. So next time you're craving a really satisfying and tasty meal, think Ham & Egg Melt—and make it really crispy.
