Pull-Apart Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich is the Perfect Meal

I hosted Bunco this month.  For those of you who have never heard of it—Bunco is a social dice game, traditionally played with 12 players who are divided into three tables with 4 players at each table.  (But really, any number can play.)  For years I’ve belonged to a Bunco group that meets once a month.  Each month a different woman hosts.  This month was my month to host. 

The host’s duties consist of opening your home to the group, setting up the area where you’ll play, providing two Bunco gifts for the winners of the Last Bunco and Last Deuces, and serving a meal.  It is the meal part of the duties that had me obsessing for weeks.  (You don’t always want to throw a frozen lasagna in the oven (although once every couple of years there’s nothing wrong with it.)  This year my Bunco night came in the middle a week of brain-frying, triple-digit temperatures.   I needed a simple, quick meal idea that was really fantastic but wouldn’t heat up the house for over an hour!  

This Grilled Ham and Cheese sandwich fit the bill.   It was delicious, filling, and it looked kind of fancy too!  As an added bonus I also didn’t end up with a ton of dirty dishes or a hot house.    

This grilled loaf sandwich has a really yummy sandwich spread on it that makes all the difference!  

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

1. Two loaves of bread (I used an artisan loaf of French bread from the bakery)
2. Spicy Sandwich Spread (recipe below)
3. Slices of Pepper Jack cheese (or any kind of cheese you prefer)
4. Slices of ham

Instructions

1. Heat gas or charcoal grill.  Spray a 25x18-inch sheet of heavy-duty foil with cooking spray.
2. Without cutting all the way through, cut each loaf of bread into 12 (3/4-inch) slices, cutting to within 1/4 inch of bottom.  (This gives you 6 servings per loaf.)
3. Next spread the Spicy Sandwich Spread on the every other slice. You want to be able to cut the loaf and have a top and bottom part of the sandwich.
4. Fold each slice of cheese in half diagonally; tuck each into sandwich. Divide ham evenly among sandwiches, tucking in to fit.  Add the banana pepper rings. (These will go inside the slices that have the sandwich spread on them.)
5. Wrap the whole loaf in the prepared foil.
6. Place foil-wrapped loaf on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and loaf is hot, turning loaf frequently. To serve, open packet carefully to allow steam to escape.
7. Remove foil from loaf; pull apart sandwiches. 

To bake foil-wrapped loaf, bake at 350°F 40 to 45 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Spicy Sandwich Spread

This 5 ingredient spicy sandwich spread is easy to make and takes your sandwich to a whole new level of yummy!

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup softened butter
2. 2 tablespoon spicy brown or country-style Dijon mustard
3. 2 teaspoon minced garlic
4. Red pepper to taste
5. A sprig of parsley, chopped (or 2 tablespoon of parsley flakes)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients into a small bowl and stir to combine.
2. Keep any leftover spread refrigerated.
3. Once ingredients are mixed well you can spread this onto any kind of sandwich bread for a tasty complement to your sandwich.

I sometimes add a little horseradish to the mustard for more of a flavor kick.  (I use this spread on roast beef sandwiches.)

For Bunco Night I added homemade potato salad and an antipasto salad to the line-up, as well as raw veggies and pickles and banana pepper slices.