Down on the Farm - Fried Ham Sandwich - Longmeadow

Submitted by Andi Longmeadow Farm

"I was in the nursing profession many, many, years ago. When the nursing staff was allowed to take a lunch break, I would meander down to our hospital cafeteria and order up one of these sandwiches. Of course, the cafeteria chefs had a special "seasoned grill" that punctuated years and years of cooking delectable delights, the way it used to be cooked, without the use of microwaves, and or already prepared, “boiled - in - the - bag” foods that came from “Sysco”. These amazing chefs even had special spatulas that you could easily imagine the pounding and flipping going on, being delicately tossed in the air, as somehow this made the food taste even more spectacular. After paying for the sandwich, I would sit down, and carefully open the wrapper, and inhale the aroma of freshly cut ham, the sweetest, most soft bread that I have ever known, and the mixture of ham juice and a bit of butter that warmed the ham prior to marrying with the bread. Needless to say, I always looked forward to this break, and on the occasion of visiting this hospital even today, I reflect back on those days of good ol’ cooking as it used to be, and the delights these very special chefs produced. To this day I still make these at home, occasionally for lunch or a quick dinner. After the cafeteria chefs put this yummy sandwich together they would wrap it in (1) wax paper (2) then aluminum foil. By the time you got to your table, the tastes had developed and probably steamed in the combination of wax paper and foil. Either way, I guess these magical chefs will never be forgotten as this made my day complete, every single day. I hope you enjoy this sandwich as much as I. Try the wax paper and foil too, [if you have time].....you will see what I'm talking about."

 

• Ready In: 15mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Serves: 2

ingredients

• 4 slices bread (suggested country white-any will do)
• 2 ounces deli ham (sliced in slivers)
• 1 small onion, sliced very thinly
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (can be reduced fat)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon butter (or margarine) (optional)

directions

1. Spray skillet with cooking spray. If using optional butter, melt this in pan until completely melted.
2. Toss in onion and cook until translucent. (about 2/3 minutes).
3. Add ham on top of onion, and continue to warm on medium heat for 3/4 minutes.
4. Flip over ham/onion and continue to warm for 2 more minutes.
5. Spread bread with mayonnaise add warmed ham/onion mixture.
6. Press down tops of bread, and kinda "smash" together.
7. Cut in half and devour.

Reviews

[under12parsecs]

Ah, the simple joys in life! This is assuredly one of them. Love, love, loved the fried onions and ham on the toasted pillowy-soft hamburger bun. I added a handful of shredded aged cheddar and enfolded the whole thing in the waxed paper/foil as instructed. The steam action totally makes it!

 

[SarahBeth]

This was a perfect complimet to our potato soup last night, warm and comforting. The onions are amazing, and I took the time to steam mine in the wax paper and the tin foil -- wrapped it all up and then let it sit in an oven that had been at 350F and was turned off for about 10 minutes while I finished up the soup. It was perfect! Thanks for posting Andi! I loved this and will make again many many many times! Made for THINK PINK event October 2009!

 

[samuel]

This was a very simple and tasty lunch to make. Being from New Mexico where we add green chili whenever possible I added 1 roasted and peeled chopped Hatch Big Jim Green Chili Pepper to the mix when I added the ham. This kicked the sandwich up a notch. Instead of bread I used flour tortillas. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Baby Kato]

Yummy, another winner from my friend Andi. This is a terrific sandwich, quick, easy to make, with terrific flavors and textures. I used a wonderful brown sugared ham, sweet vidalia onions and thick slices of Portugese bread. What a treat this was, so good, the hardest part was waiting to eat it. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe, which I will make again and again.

 

[Bliss]

I am NOT a mayo and ham person, and the picture made me gag, BUT I wanted to try this as Andi wrote. Well, now I'm a mayo and ham person. I used Pam in the pan, and then a little butter. I had a big slice (thin) of onion and now such how much ham, but quite a stack. I used a potato bread hamburger bun and warmed it. This was SOOOOOO good. I didn't wrap it tonite, but I may try it just to have the "whole experience", but this is going to be one of my favs. Loved, loved, loved it.