Skillet Cordon Bleu

This recipe has been a staple at our house for several years.  I love chicken cordon bleu, but I rarely have the time to make it.  And my kiddos just don't appreciate all the work that goes in to flattening and rolling the chicken.  This is mostly done in a skillet on the stove top, which is good since I currently don't have an oven.  The only thing I couldn't do was put the chicken under the broiler to melt the cheese.  So instead, I put the lid on the skillet and let the cheese melt that way. 

My favorite part of this dish is the Ritz cracker crumb coating.  Say that 5 times fast!  Its buttery and crispy and delish!  And the chicken is so tender that no knife is needed.  But best of all, it cooks up in less than half an hour.  Speedy and yummy.  Who could ask for more?

Skillet Cordon Bleu
Serves 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup butter flavored crackers (I used Ritz roasted vegetable flavor)
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbs. butter or margarine, divided
4 slices deli ham
4 slices provolone cheese

Flatten the chicken to about 1/4 inch thickness.  Place the egg in a shallow bowl.  Combine the cracker crumbs and salt in another shallow bowl.  Dip the chicken in egg then in the cracker crumbs.  Set aside.

In a large oven proof skillet, saute the mushrooms in 1 Tbs. butter until tender.  Remove and set aside.  In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter (I always need a little bit more).  Add the chicken and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until the juices run clear.  Top each chicken breast with a ham slice, mushrooms and a slice of cheese.  Broil 4 inches from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

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Gooey Cheesy Ham Sandwiches with Onion Butter



This has become one of my favorite quick meals.  It is so gooey and cheesy and full of flavor.  The onion butter just puts it over the top.  I had to make extra to use on other sandwiches.  I don't know if I'll ever need mayo again.  :) 

I think I'll make these for our next family get together and these will be on the Superbowl menu for sure!  Because they are so easy, I've starting keeping the fixin's in the fridge so I can have them any time the craving strikes!

Gooey Cheesy Ham Sandwiches with Onion Butter

Serves 8

Sandwich:

8 wholeSandwich Rolls (or 16 Dinner Rolls)
1/2 poundsHam, Any (sliced Thin Or Chopped)
1/2 poundsCheese, Any Variety That Melts Well (I used cheddar and Monterrey jack)

Onion Butter:

8 Tablespoons salted butter
1/2 cup finely minced onion
3 Tablespoons prepared mustard (I used Dijon)
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

To make the onion butter, combine ingredients in a small sauce pan and heat gently just until the butter is melted and all the ingredients are well combined. Cool to a spreadable consistency.

To prepare sandwiches, place roll bottoms, cut side up on a sheet pan. Spread some onion butter evenly onto each of the halves (use about half of the onion butter for this step), top with 1/2 the cheese, next add all the ham, now add remaining cheese, and end with the rest of the onion butter. Top with the roll tops, cover pan with foil, and heat in a 300F oven for 10-15 minutes until the sandwiches are heated through and the cheese melts.

Sandwiches can be assembled up to 2 days in advance, but store them in an airtight container to control the smell of raw onions in your fridge.

Source:  Photo and Recipe from Tasty Kitchen

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Hot Ham Hoagies

If you need a quick, easy and delicious week night meal, then this is for you!  I had this on the table in 20 minutes flat.  My family loves it because they can customize it however they want.  Don't like onions?  No problem!  Want extra cheese?  Go for it!  There wasn't a complaint to be heard because their mouths were too busy.  Even my little kids loved this.  Add some fresh fruit or a nice green salad and you've got a meal everyone will love.

I always try to plan a couple of this kind of busy day meal into my menu.  It makes getting home late from work or dance or music classes so much less stressful!  When everyone is starving and wants to know when dinner is, you can have it on the table in minutes.

Hot Ham Hoagies
Serves 6

3/4-1 cup BBQ sauce (depending on how saucy you want it)
3/4 tsp. ground mustard
3/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 pound thinly sliced, fully cooked ham
Lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, sliced onion and cheese
6 hoagie buns, split

In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine the first 5 ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Place lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese on buns; top with ham.

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