Meat and Cheese Hot Sandwiches (Melts)

For these I usually do the classic combo of ham and swiss but you can do whichever combo you want. Turkey and cheddar, turkey and mozzarella, roast beef and swiss or you can venture into a meat with goat cheese or cream cheese. Have fun with it and be creative. Also, the bread has to be extremely crispy (or pretty much crunchy) on the outside. For me, it is a non-negotiable. My trick to having a very crunchy or toasty bread is butter in the pan, mayo on the outside of the bread. Butter for the pan and bread would probably be great too. I will usually try to create a deli or diner vibe by adding potato chips as a side, as usual though...do your thing and grab any kind of crunchy salty snack to go with the sandwich.

• A loaf of a hearty sandwich bread (I usually use sourdough.)
• Sliced ham (You can use whatever meat you want.)
• Sliced swiss cheese (same as the meat, use whatever cheese you want.)
• Mayo for spreading on the bread
• 4-5 (ish) tablespoons of butter for the pan
• Optional: any condiments like mustard, mayo ect...
• Optional: any chopped veggies like onion or pickles
• Your favorite potato chip or any kind of crunchy salty snack

1. Grab a pan and turn on the stove top to a medium-high heat. Put a few tablespoons of butter in the pan.
2. As the butter is melting, grab a slice of bread and spread a fairly thin layer of mayo all over it.
3. Once the butter is completely melted, place the bread (mayo side down) directly onto the butter. Then add however many slices of meat and cheese you want. I personally try to keep the amount in the middle. Not too little, not too much. If you add too much, the sandwich will be difficult to work with and the cheese might not melt right away. Up to you though, if you feel like you can handle many layers of meat and cheese, go for it!
4. Grab the second slice of bread and spread another layer of mayo on the outside. Place on top of the meat and cheese in the pan.
5. The slice that is cooking will need to stay down for about 4-5 minutes but definitely keep checking. Using your hand and a spatula, lift up the sandwich to see how brown it is.
6. This part is also up to you. Some people don't want the bread to be as crispy, some people like for it to be super brown. I personally like a very toasty bread. Just keep checking and once it is to your liking...using a spatula and your hand, flip the sandwich so the other side can cook.
7. Same thing as before, after about 3 minutes, start checking. Once it is to your liking, remove the sandwich from the pan.
8. Optional: This is part where I add the veggies and/or condiments. Lift up the bread and add whatever you want. Grab a salty crunchy snack and you are good to go!