Des

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Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

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Arugula Pesto & Ham Grilled Cheese

Guys, grilled cheese month is almost over (GASP!). I hope you have celebrated accordingly. But just in case you haven’t, I just had to share one more recipe full of melty, cheesy goodness. This time I’m bringing a sandwich with peppery arugula pesto, savory ham and melty Kerrygold Blarney Castle cheese. Just think of this as a ham and cheese for grown ups.

This Arugula Pesto & Ham Grilled Cheese gets it melty goodness from Kerrygold’s Blarney Castle Cheese. It is a mild gouda style cheese and it melts perfectly. To increase the melt factor even more, I grated the cheese for this grilled cheese and I’m pretty sure I will be doing that from now on. Not only does it decrease cooking time, but it helps ensure that every little bit of cheese gets melted. And this is a grilled cheese sandwich after all, melty cheese is key!

As for the pesto,  I know, I know I just shared a grilled cheese with pesto on it, but to be fair that was basil pesto. This is arugula pesto. Totally different ball game. Basil pesto has that sweet, savory flavor that we are all used to and love. Arugula pesto, on the other hand is peppery and goes splendidly with ham. I didn’t use nuts in this pesto because I didn’t have any on hand and it totally worked without them. Just a little arugula, Parmesan, olive oil, garlic and salt. Simple and scrumptious.

Basically this whole sandwich is simple scrumptiousness. It can be made in a flash so it’s perfect for lunch but it’s hearty enough to make a great dinner too.

Disclousre: I was sent the cheese by Kerrygold and this post is my entry for a giveaway for members of the Kerrygold Blogger Loyalty Program. All opinions are my own.

Arugula Pesto & Ham Grilled Cheese

Arugula pesto, ham and Blarney Castle cheese combine to make this grown up version of a ham and grilled cheese sandwich.
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt
  • 8 slices crusty bread
  • 2 tablespoons butter softened
  • 2 cups grated Kerrygold Blarney Castle Cheese
  • 8 deli slices black forest ham

Instructions
 

  • Combine arugula, parmesan and garlic together in a food processor. Process until arugula is chopped fine. With food processor running slowly drizzle in olive oil until mixture emulsifies. Season to taste with salt.
  • To make a sandwich, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Spread a thin layer of pesto on the non-buttered side. Place 1/4 cup of cheese on top of the pesto, top with two slices of ham and 1/4 cup more cheese top with the other slice of bread, pesto side down. Repeat with remaining ingredients until 4 sandwiches are made.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches until bread is golden and cheese has melted, 2 - 3 minutes per side. Serve.

Notes

Enjoy!
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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    taketwotapas
    April 27, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    This sounds so yummy and like the most awesome “grown up” grilled cheese!

  • Reply
    Back For Seconds
    April 27, 2015 at 10:49 am

    Mmmmm this sounds amazing!!

  • Reply
    DirtyLaundryKitchen
    April 27, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Love it. I’m a huge grilled cheese variation fan (who isn’t) and it’s almost stinging nettle season. This is inspiring me to make some new pestos for condiments for sandwiches instead of just pasta sauce. Great combo.

  • Reply
    Ali @ Home & Plate
    April 27, 2015 at 8:24 am

    Yum! I love pesto so this grilled cheese sandwich is right up my alley.

  • Reply
    Judy @ I'm Bored, Let's Go
    April 27, 2015 at 4:16 am

    Grilled cheese sandwiches are the best! This one sounds delicious. I love all variations of pesto!

  • Reply
    Lisa MarcAurele
    April 27, 2015 at 3:23 am

    I’ll have to look out for the cheese by Kerrygold! Sounds really delicious.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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