This Ham and Apple Panini is the proper fall sandwich that mixes children’ favourite flavors with grown-up sophistication – crispy, melty, and surprisingly simple to make!
Why We Love This Ham and Apple Panini
We’ve all been there – staring into the fridge at 5 PM questioning the best way to flip random substances into one thing the entire household will really eat. Final week, I had leftover ham from Sunday dinner, and a bag of apples within the fridge. That’s once I found that the key to getting my choosy eaters enthusiastic about sandwiches isn’t fancy substances – it’s the magic mixture of crispy bread, melty cheese, and that good sweet-savory steadiness.
My children have all the time been suspicious of “grown-up” sandwiches, however there’s one thing about urgent a sandwich in a panini maker that transforms unusual substances into one thing particular. The crispy exterior offers strategy to heat, gooey cheese and tender ham, whereas the apple slices add simply sufficient sweetness to steadiness the smoky flavors. Even my most cussed eater, who normally picks aside each sandwich I make, devoured this one and not using a single grievance.
The very best half? This recipe works whether or not you’re making a fast weekday lunch or need to elevate your weekend sandwich recreation. I like that I can use no matter apples we have now readily available, and the youngsters really feel like they’re getting restaurant meals proper at house!
The right way to Make Excellent Ham & Apple Panini
Getting the method proper means the distinction between soggy sandwiches and crispy-outside, melty-inside perfection that makes everybody pleased.
Select the Proper Bread and Put together It Correctly
Sturdy bread like ciabatta rolls or thick country-style bread is important as a result of it holds as much as urgent with out falling aside or getting soggy from the apple juices. I all the time break up the rolls utterly and ensure each side are evenly buttered on the surface – this creates that golden, crispy crust that makes panini so irresistible. The bread needs to be substantial sufficient to comprise all of the fillings however not so thick that it doesn’t prepare dinner by within the brief urgent time.
Layer Components Strategically for Greatest Outcomes
Begin with cheese instantly on the bread to create a barrier that stops the apple juices from making the bread soggy, then layer the ham and apple slices evenly so each chew has the proper ratio of flavors. I’ve discovered that skinny apple slices work significantly better than thick ones as a result of they soften properly with out releasing an excessive amount of moisture or making the sandwich tough to chew by. The mustard ought to go on the within surfaces solely, by no means on the surface the place it may burn throughout urgent.
Grasp the Urgent Approach
Medium warmth is essential – too scorching and the surface burns earlier than the cheese melts, too low and also you received’t get that satisfying crispiness that makes panini particular. Press firmly however don’t smash the sandwich utterly flat; you need some top left so there’s room for all these scrumptious layers. In the event you’re utilizing a grill pan as an alternative of a panini press, place a heavy skillet on high of the sandwiches and press down gently whereas they prepare dinner, flipping as soon as midway by.
Child Helper Jobs for Ham & Apple Panini
Getting youngsters concerned in making these panini turns lunch prep into high quality time and helps them really feel happy with contributing to household meals.
Excellent Duties for Ages 4-7
Little ones can simply wash and dry the apples, unfold softened butter on the surface of the bread with a plastic knife, and assist prepare the ham slices on the sandwiches. They love being accountable for urgent the timer button and watching by the panini press lid because the cheese melts and the bread will get golden. My youngest all the time volunteers to be the “cheese inspector” to ensure it’s completely melted earlier than we take the sandwiches out.
Nice Jobs for Ages 8-12
Older children can safely core and slice the apples with correct supervision, unfold the mustard and mayo contained in the sandwiches, and assist assemble the whole panini from begin to end. They’re normally able to working the panini press themselves when you’ve proven them the best way to do it safely, they usually love the duty of timing the cooking completely. My center schooler has change into our household’s official “panini chef” and takes delight in getting the golden-brown colour good each time.
Youngsters Can Take Full Possession
Highschool children can simply make these panini independently, experimenting with totally different cheese combos or apple varieties to seek out their good model. They usually get pleasure from making these for pals or taking on panini-making duties for the entire household on weekends. Encouraging them to attempt variations like including arugula or totally different mustards helps them develop their cooking confidence and palate on the identical time.
Searching for Extra Scrumptious Sandwich Recipes?
Ham and Cheese Panini
This easy, scrumptious sandwich combines child favourite taste with grown up sophistication. Candy and savory flavors come collectively in a crispy, melty meal that’s good for lunch or dinner!
Servings: 4
- 8 slices country-style bread or 4 ciabatta rolls
- 1/2 lb black forest or smoked ham sliced
- 4 oz aged cheddar or gruyere cheese sliced or shredded
- 1 granny smith or fuji apple cored and thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp dijon or honey dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise if desired
- 4 tbsp butter softened
- recent arugula optionally available
- crimson onion, thinly sliced optionally available
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If utilizing crimson onion, thinly slice and add to a bowl of vinegar 20 minutes, then drain. This helps to mellow the flavour. Put together remaining substances.
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Unfold softened butter to the surface of the bread. On the within of every slice of bread, unfold a skinny layer of dijon mustard and mayonnaise (if utilizing, for additional creaminess).
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To 4 of the bread slices, add half of the cheese, the ham, and the apple slices. Add the crimson onion and arugula if desired, then high with the remainder of the cheese. High with the opposite slice of bread, buttered aspect up.
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Place the sandwiches in a preheated panini press and shut firmly however gently to keep away from over flattening. Cook dinner for about 4-5 minutes or till golden brown and the cheese is melted. If you do not have a panini press, place the sandwiches on a preheated grill pan and high with a heavy skillet, flipping it midway by.
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Take away the sandwiches from the pan. Wait 1-2 minutes earlier than slicing and serving. Get pleasure from!