Ham & Cheese Toasties

My parents are visiting from my hometown of Buffalo, NY. I love it when my parents come to visit. Even though I'm a grown-up now (or so they say), my parents always take extra good care of me when they're in town. It's like I'm their little girl again.

Also, my parents have known me for my entire life. (Obviously.) They know the good, the bad, and the really crazy about Erin. So if our guest room (a.k.a. my closet) is a little, ahem, disorganized, they aren't terribly surprised. And if there's a little dust bunny hiding in the corner, that's ok with them. They love me anyway.

When they rolled into town on Wednesday night, I was running a bit behind at work. The husband played host for a few hours until I got home, and since the gang was entertained by baseball playoffs, I popped by the grocery store to grab something for dinner. I have to admit, I was tired and didn't feel like whipping up a four course meal. I wanted something really simple. So I made my version of a family classic: Ham and Cheese Toasties.

And by the way, my parents still love me, even when I don't make a four course dinner.

Ham and Cheese Toasties
Serves: 4

4 pretzel rolls, sliced in half
3 tablespoons room temperature butter
2 tablespoons honey mustard
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 slices maple-glazed ham (about 1/2 pound)
4 slices Havarti cheese (If you don't have Havarti, double the cheddar or use your favorite cheese.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate the pretzel rolls and spread butter on both halves of each roll.

Spread mustard on top of the butter on both halves of each roll. Evenly divide the cheddar cheese onto the bottom halves of each roll.

Pile three slices of ham on each sandwich, then top with the Havarti. Close up the sandwich with the top buns and wrap each sandwich with aluminum foil. Bake sandwiches for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Dad's sandwich had a toothpick in it because he wanted his Toastie sans mustard.

P.S. These are great to serve a crowd during a football game because you can make them ahead of time and bake them when you're ready to eat. Also, the aluminum foil wrapper helps contain the mess.