Ham and Blueberry Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen. 

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here. 

Cheese melted between two slices of buttered bread has powerful effect. That’s why this lovely meal has its own month of celebration. April is National Grilled Cheese month.

It’s easy to find cheesy inspiration when walking through Market Street. The selection is outstanding. I could easily wander back and forth to look at the variety of flavors and types of cheese.

As a parent to two small children I feel motivated to educate them on the importance of experiencing food through tasting flavors and textures they wouldn’t naturally select themselves. I also want them to explore tastes they are naturally drawn to.

When Market Street presented the Kids Club Grilled Cheese Showdown in honor of the Wisconsin Cheese Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown, I knew Katherine and Eli needed to participate.

I made up my mind not to interject an opinion about what cheese, condiments or bread they would choose. I wanted to see where their tastebuds would lead them.

However, my foot was planted on incorporating a deli meat to the final product. It’s an easy way to sneak a bit more protein into their diet through this cheesy vessel. Boar’s Head Simplicity Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham was the only ingredient mandated on their selection.

Katherine, as the oldest child took the lead. Little brother Eli followed.

She resolved to have no mustard or mayonnaise. He wanted ketchup, but older sister trumped younger brother. He didn’t seem to mind, sweet boy.

We meandered through the bakery and “oooed and awed” over the bread selections. Both children were torn between the Sweet Hawaiian Rolls and the Wheat Loaf. After a few renditions of “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” the Wheat Loaf won.

Then, as we made our way to the Wisconsin cheese cases, Katherine immediately zeroed in on one particular cheese. It contained beautiful purple striations set within the white cheese. It was Henning’s Blueberry Cheddar Cheese.

“Blueberries? I want blueberries!” Eli exclaimed as Katherine reached for the triangular piece of cheddar.

There they were, two peas in a pod, bouncing up and down in excitement for their ham and blueberry cheddar grilled cheese sandwich.

I had my doubts, so I grabbed two other varieties: Henning’s Aged Cheddar with Peppercorn and Maple Leaf Smoked Gouda. I kept telling myself this wasn’t my sandwich and it certainly wasn’t the flavor profile I’m drawn to.

But that was okay.

Maybe their palate could enlighten mine? Off we went to make our sandwiches.

I buttered the bread and sliced the cheese. Little paws reached up to sample the selection of Wisconsin cheeses.

The cheese melted. The blueberries warmed and coated the salty sliced ham. The bread crisped to a buttery perfection. I was pleasantly surprised.

Katherine, my picky eater and one whose palate is vastly different from mine, created a delicious sweet and salty grilled cheese sandwich.

The food lover in me swelled with pride.

Well done baby girl, this is one tasty grilled cheese. Maybe we should enter it into the Wisconsin Cheese Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown too (click here for link).

To enter the Kids Club Grilled Cheese Showdown:

- Submit an original recipe and optional photo between April 4-May 14th via the online entry form (click here for link).

- Submissions are accepted through May 14th. The United Family Marketing team will select finalists after the entry period has ended. At that point, people will be encouraged to vote for their favorite from among the finalists and the recipe with the most votes wins.

- First Plate Prize: $100 gift card and Kids Club goodie basket

- Second and Third Prize: Kids Club goodie basket

Ham and Blueberry Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

2 slices of __________ bread

Henning’s Blueberry Cheddar Cheese, thinly sliced

3 slices of deli ham

Directions

Heat cast iron skillet over medium-low heat.

Meanwhile, butter one side of each slice of bread.

Place one slice of bread in the skillet, buttered side facing down. Add a layer of cheese and top with the ham. Add a few more pieces of sliced cheese on top of the ham.

Place the remaining piece of bread on top, buttered side facing up.

Heat until the bottom piece of the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. Flip and continue to heat the sandwich until golden and the cheese is melted.