So…this recipe. It’s not really a recipe. It’s kind of a cop-out recipe, actually.
Truth it, I eat it for lunch probably two or three times a week, and last time while I was sinking my teeth deep into this sandwich I felt like I just had to share. I had to! My soul demanded it. It’s just SO good and if you don’t already know the brie and ham sandwich combination on a deep, personal level, I feel like it’s my duty to share this with you today. It is the sandwich that broke me of my vegetarian ways six years ago while sitting at a Paris cafe with my mother after an overnight flight.
To make this culinary masterpiece, you first need to find some really good bread. And no, I don’t mean fluffy white bread from the supermarket. Head to a bakery for this…you won’t regret it. I like to use a thick, chewy sourdough bread here — one that I can really sink my teeth into. Thick, chewy, delicious carbs. Now that’s what I’m talking about.
The rest is so simple. Seriously, a ten year old could make this. The key is the sweet n’ hot mustard {Trader Joe’s makes a great one!} because it both clears your nostrils and gives you just a hint of sweetness. It’s perfect.
So yeah…this is a “not-recipe” if there ever was one. But it IS delicious and makes a sweet little dinner when paired with a simple green salad and a glass of wine. It’s the one meal I could never get sick of and my favorite sandwich to date.
‘Cause nothing says “happy Monday” like toasty brie cheese in your face.
Toasted Ham and Brie Panini
makes 1 panini
Ingredients:
2 thick slices of good quality bread (I like sourdough!)
2 oz roast ham
brie cheese
hot n’ sweet mustard
Directions:
Spread one piece of bread with brie cheese. Top with ham. Spread the other slice of bread with the mustard. Grill panini using a panini press or stovetop, as you would grilled cheese. If you’re toasting your sandwich on the stove, I like to place a heavy pot or skillet on top of the sandwich while it toasts to get the panini effect.
Time:
5 minutes
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
January 7, 2013 at 3:42 amNow this is a recipe that I can make! π Looks delicious!
Tiffany @dynamics of happy
January 7, 2013 at 3:42 amsometimes simplicity is the best π
Em (Wine and Butter)
January 7, 2013 at 3:54 amum… YES!! This is most definitely what I am now going to have for lunch. I have some rye sourdough in the freezer calling my name – and Im excited already now!
Stephanie @ Steph's Miles
January 7, 2013 at 4:16 amI love brie on anything so this sounds like a winner!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
January 7, 2013 at 4:28 amBrie cheese makes everything better!! Sounds like a great lunch.
megan @ whatmegansmaking
January 7, 2013 at 4:36 amYou certainly can’t go wrong with paninis! I don’t even like ham, and I still think this looks good!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
January 7, 2013 at 4:45 amThis sounds lovely Jenna! I’m on the same page as you with the nice rustic loaf of bread. I can’t actually remember the last time I had supermarket white bread but I DO recall from my childhood that it gets all gummy and sticks to the roof of your mouth which is not cool at all. Hearty bread is where it’s at!
Madison
January 7, 2013 at 4:46 amYum! This reminds me of when I studied abroad in London and Paris–they had the best brie in sandwiches and crepes. π
Molly @ RDexposed
January 7, 2013 at 5:11 amBrie and toasted bread is always a winning combination!
Beth
January 7, 2013 at 5:13 amLove ham and brie! It is also wonderful with some thinly sliced pears or apples and sprinkle of black pepper.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
January 7, 2013 at 5:21 amI don’t think anything could be a good ham and cheese panini and this looks perfect!
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
January 7, 2013 at 6:07 amSometimes “not recipes” are the best recipes. π
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
January 7, 2013 at 6:08 amP.S. What’s the best way to contact/email you with a question?
Stephanie
January 7, 2013 at 6:35 amThere’s a grocery store near me that does a Mr. Frenchy. It has brie, turkey, and apple butter. AMAZING!
Tess
January 7, 2013 at 6:36 amThis looks perfect for chilly afternoons! Sometimes simple can be pretty amazing.
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa}
January 7, 2013 at 6:52 amSo jealous of your San Francisco sourdough!!! I haven’t gone out of my way to buy bakery bread in quite a while, but this seems like a good excuse!
Tami@nutmegnotebook
January 7, 2013 at 7:03 amThere is nothing like California sourdough bread. I sometimes ship sourdough bread to my parents who live in the Midwest. I like non recipes too! After the holidays it’s nice to go simple.
Nicole
January 7, 2013 at 7:10 amYes!! This is one of my favorite go-to easy meals at home also. My fiancΓ©e says it “tastes like home,” which I’ve always taken as a compliment. The only thing I do do differently is use blackberry preserves or jam in the place of the sweet mustard. I will be sure to give yours a try, though!
allie@sweetpotatobites
January 7, 2013 at 8:07 amyum! love the brie and ham combo – paninis are the best.
Julie
January 7, 2013 at 8:18 amLooks awesome! I love a good sourdough bread for grilled cheese, sprinkled with a little garlic powder! I got the hubby a cast iron skillet for Christmas. I knew exactly what I wanted to make…the butter is softening for Deep Dish Salted Chocolate Chip Cooke Pie!
Emily
January 7, 2013 at 8:29 amTJ’s hot n’ sweet mustard is one of the greatest things ever. I’m excited to try out this recipe. Thanks for sharing π
Shaina
January 7, 2013 at 8:48 amThis looks like the perfect sandwich to pair with a bowl of soup. Great January food.
Michelle
January 7, 2013 at 8:56 amI’ve never tried Brie in a sandwich. This would be an awesome sandwich to welcome my fiance back from his trip Memphis. I bet a chutney would go well in there too.
Thanks!
-Michelle
Holistic Health Coach
Emily @ Life on Food
January 7, 2013 at 9:09 amWarm sandwiches always make me happy, as does brie. A winner!
Jill @ JillEats
January 7, 2013 at 9:15 amSourdough is my favorite! Whenever my restaurant bakes a batch for dinner service, I pray that there’s a loaf leftover for me to smuggle home =)
Always love your posts; such an inspiration for me to keep up with my blog+writings. Cheers!
Liz (formerly VeggieGirl)
January 7, 2013 at 9:23 amNot a cop-out at all – this panini variety is FABULOUS!
a farmer in the dell
January 7, 2013 at 9:41 amI love a good cop out recipe every once in a while. This looks easy and delicious. Thanks for the reminder to make something simple for lunch today!
Sarah
January 7, 2013 at 11:21 amI know that isn’t raisin bread (is it? haha) but it looks like it/reminds me of it and it TOTALLY has me craving a raisin bread panini with ham, honey and goat cheese!!… I’m literally drooling over here in my office thinking about it for dinner tonight haha Thanks (as always!) for the inspiration π
Amber @ Mommy's Me Time
January 7, 2013 at 1:13 pmThis look delicious! I’m pregnant and can’t eat deli meat unless its heated up, so this will be a perfect go-to for me! Thanks for sharing the idea! π
Caroline L.
January 7, 2013 at 1:29 pmI’ve been OBSESSED with paninis and brie lately… Slap em together, perfecto!! Thanks, Jenna! π
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
January 7, 2013 at 2:57 pmThis is my type of recipe! Love it!!
Angela
January 7, 2013 at 3:40 pmI’m not a big ham person, but this sounds amazing! I want to try it asap!
em @ simplypresent
January 7, 2013 at 4:05 pmI had ham & cheese for lunch today. Unfortunately it wasn’t a panini, clearly not as cool.
Ashley@cupcakesncrunches
January 7, 2013 at 6:06 pmYou had me at ‘brie.’ I love all things that include brie!
My favorite sandwich is a brie grilled cheese, complete with strawberry jelly!
Sonia the Mexigarian
January 8, 2013 at 3:03 pmLOVE ACME bread company!!! I swear I could eat every single one of their bread loaves in an entire day. <3 I love the simplicity of the recipe. I don't usually like ham, but it pairs so darn well with brie.
What kind/brand of ham did you use?
Anna@ApronHearts
January 8, 2013 at 4:34 pmLove panini. I will definitely try your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Carley
January 8, 2013 at 10:00 pmI’m doing this. I wish it were lunch instead of bed time
Mackenzie
January 21, 2013 at 9:36 amDefinitely getting that mustard! Just what I am craving today.
Foodstuffs: Jan. 21 – Jan. 28 | Healthy Meal Planning
January 22, 2013 at 5:50 am[…] chicken + steamed broccoli + squashed potatoes (This dinner was all Eric and it was so good. He cooked the chicken on the stovetop and then […]
MelissaK
January 22, 2013 at 12:58 pmI use my trusty old George Foreman to make paninis!