Grilled Cheddar Cheese and Ham Sandwiches

Adding smoked ham, thinly sliced red onion and tomato to a grilled cheese sandwich makes for an extraordinary meal between two slices of toasty bread.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
8 slices country-style bread (about 1/2-inch thick)
1/2 pound cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
1/4 pound thinly sliced smoked ham
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, thinly sliced

Cooking Directions:

1. Mix first 4 ingredients in bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Arrange 4 bread slices on work surface. Divide half of cheese equally among bread slices. Top with ham, then onion, tomato and remaining cheese. Top sandwiches with remaining bread. Spread herb butter on outside of sandwich tops and bottoms.
3. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook until bottoms are golden, about 3 minutes. Turn sandwiches over, cover skillet and cook until cheese melts and bread is golden, about 3 minutes.

Makes 4 servings.