Ham and Cheese lovers take your favorite sandwich to a new level with this Ham, Smoked Gouda and Apricot Panini. A great way to use some of your leftover Easter ham or use deli sliced ham anytime of the year. A quick and easy lunch or dinner.

We are upping our toasted ham and cheese sandwich game today…oh yeah! Giving it a bit of a “grown-up”, “brunch or lunch with friends”, “special meal” appeal…or really any ole time you want to sink your teeth into toasty artisan bread wrapped around ham and melty smoked Gouda cheese.

The pièce de résistance is the addition of apricot fruit spread, chopped apricots and a sprinkling of toasted almonds and green onions. The flavor combo of smokey cheese, ham and slightly sweet fruit will have you craving more! and more….and more! Says me…who just couldn’t let the rest of the bread, ham, cheese, apricots go to waste…see how I just justified having these Ham, Smoked Gouda and Apricot Panini for a whole week straight

No panini grill needed (oh course if you have one..lucky you! and by all means use it). You can use a grill pan instead. The trick is to place something heavy (like a cast iron skillet) on top of the sandwich as it grills, to press the sandwich and give it those great panini grill marks.

No grill pan, no worries! Use a skillet and toast as you would a grilled cheese sandwich.

Layers of ham, melted smoked Gouda, apricot fruit spread, apricots, almonds and green onions.

Time to take a bite.... nom...nom...nom!

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Ham, Smoked Gouda and Apricot Panini

Prep Time14

Cook Time6

Total Time20

Servings: sandwiches

Calories: 370kcal

Author: Susan | SimpleHealthyKitchen.com

Ingredients

▢ ¼ cup dried apricots cut into pieces
▢ boiling water
▢ 1 Tbsp sliced silvered or chopped almonds
▢ 1 green onion sliced
▢ 4 slices artisan bread or bread of your choice
▢ 1 Tbsp apricot fruit spread or apricot jam
▢ 2 oz. cooked ham from leftover holiday ham or deli slices
▢ ½ cup 2 oz. shredded smoked Gouda cheese (or cheddar)
▢ fresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Combine apricots and boiling water (enough to cover apricots) in a small bowl, let stand for 5 min. Drain water, stir in almonds and green onions.
Spread apricot fruit spread on 2 sliced of artisan bread. Top with ham, and then apricot mixture. Sprinkle cheese over the top of apricot mixture and add pepper to taste. Add remaining two sliced of bread to the top of the sandwich. Lightly spray outsides of bread with cooking spray.
Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Place sandwiches on grill pan and place a heavy skillet (like cast iron) on top of sandwich to weigh down. Cook for 2-3 minutes until grill marks are formed and bread is toasted. Flip over and repeat on other side. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until bread is golden and filling is heated through (cheese is melted) .
Alternatively you can use a panini press or a regular skillet to toast sandwich.