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1
Cook butter and flour.
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2
Be sure an adult is nearby to help.
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3
Set a small saucepan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and let it melt.
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4
Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened a little and smells nutty, about 1 minute.
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5
Do not let it brown.
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6
Make the sauce.
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7
Add the milk to the saucepan and whisk very quickly.
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8
Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture gets very thick, about 2 minutes.
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9
Add the shredded cheese, nutmeg, and a sprinkle each of salt and pepper.
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10
Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
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11
Remove the saucepan from the heat.
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12
Build the sandwiches.
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13
Lay the bread slices in front of you on a work surface.
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14
Using a table knife, divide the cheese sauce between 2 of the slices, spreading it evenly.
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15
Layer a slice of cheese, 1 or 2 slices of ham and another slice of cheese on top of the sauce.
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16
Top with the remaining bread slices.
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17
Cook the sandwiches.
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18
Set a large fry pan over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
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19
Let it melt, then tilt the fry pan to coat it evenly.
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20
Add the sandwiches.
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21
Fry until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes.
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22
Use a metal spatula to turn each sandwich and fry the other side, about 2 minutes more.
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23
Cut in half and serve immediately.
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24
Variations:
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25
Ham, Cheese & Tomato Sandwich.
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26
Follow the recipe for The Ultimate Ham & Cheese but add 1/2 teaspoon dried basil to the sauce along with the cheese.
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27
Thinly slice 1 ripe tomato, push out the seeds and pat the slices dry.
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28
Coarsely chop 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the tomato slices.
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29
When building the sandwiches, place the tomato slices between the ham and cheese slices.
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30
Follow the directions to cook and serve the sandwiches.
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31
The Ultimate Turkey & Cheese.
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32
Follow the recipe for The Ultimate Ham & Cheese but replace the Gruyere cheese and ham with cheddar cheese and thinly sliced turkey.
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33
Add 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard to the sauce instead of the nutmeg.
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34
Follow the directions to build, cook and serve the sandwiches.
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35
Ham, Cheese & Egg Sandwiches.
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36
Follow the recipe for The Ultimate Ham & Cheese.
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37
After you melt the butter in the fry pan, do not add the sandwiches yet.
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38
Instead, crack 2 eggs into the pan and fry until the whites are opaque and the yolks are firm, about 2 minutes.
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39
Using the spatula, place 1 egg on each sandwich on top of the ham.
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40
Top with the second slice of cheese and bread.
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41
Melt another tablespoon of butter in the pan and cook and serve the sandwiches as directed.
