Grilled Cheese With Roasted Pineapple, Ham, and Swiss Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated March 21, 2019
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J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

A classic grilled cheese sandwich with roasted pineapple and ham.

Recipe Details

Grilled Cheese With Roasted Pineapple, Ham, and Swiss Recipe

Cook 25 mins
Total 25 mins
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 (1/2-inch thick) slices pineapple, about 2- by 4-inches each
  • 2 slices ham
  • 2 slices hearty white bread, such as Pepperidge Farm or Arnold, or 2 slices hearty French or Italian bread
  • 2 slices Swiss cheese
  • Kosher salt

Directions

  1. Heat 1 tablepsoon butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add pineapple slices and cook, swirling pan occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes total. Remove from skillet and set aside. Add ham and cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside. Wipe out skillet with paper towels.

  2. Melt 2 teaspoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add both bread slices and cook, swirling occasionally, until pale golden brown on bottom side, about 2 minutes.

  3. Transfer to a cutting board toasted-side-up. Place one cheese slice on top of one slice of bread. Top with pinapple, ham, and second cheese slice. Close sandwich, with both toasted sides facing inwards.

  4. Melt 2 more teaspoons of butter in the skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Add sandwich and cook, swirling occasionally, until deep, even golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove sandwich using a flexible metal spatula. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons butter. Return sandwich to skillet cooked-side up. Season with salt. Cook, swirling occasionally, until second side is deep, even golden brown and cheese is thoroughly melted, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

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