Ham and Cheese Panini

Ingredients

Sauce

• 1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon (7g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup (170g) milk, hot
• 3/4 cup (85g) Swiss cheese or Gruyère cheese, grated

Filling

• 8 ounces (227g) cooked ham, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces (227g) Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons (28g) Dijon mustard, optional
• 6 tablespoons (85g) soft butter, optional

Bread

• 8 center slices Rustic Sourdough Bread, or you favorite panini bread

Instructions

1. To make the sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium-high heat.
2. Add the flour, stirring to incorporate. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly, until a thick sauce forms.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer then add the cheese, stirring until it melts.
4. To make the sandwiches: Spread the warm sauce on one side of half the bread slices.
5. Top the sauce with a slice of ham, then a slice of cheese.
6. Spread the Dijon mustard on one side of the remaining slices of bread, and place them mustard-side-down onto the cheese.
7. Heat an electric panini griddle or skillet over medium-high heat.
8. Spread the top of the sandwich with butter, and place it butter-side down onto the hot surface.
9. Spread butter on the other side of the bread, then close the griddle or cover the pan with a lid.
10. Toast the sandwich for 3 to 5 minutes on one side, flip it over, and toast for another 3 to 5 minutes until it’s as golden as you like. Remove from the pan, and serve warm.