virginia grilled cheese

One of the perks of being a homeschooler is awesome hot lunches every day.  No cold PB and J for us.  We had garlic-y noodles, baked potatoes, quesadillas, and fancy grilled cheese.  A good grilled cheese sandwich was probably my favorite lunch growing up.

In the fall, mom would layer crisp apple slices, sharp cheddar, and honey-ham on buttery slices of bread.  She called it the Virginia. (I mostly think this is because we were studying Virginia history at the time, but nevertheless, the name stuck. Plus, if there is one thing Virginians do right it's honey-ham and apples.) I made this for Jason recently and he loved it. Years later, and it's still a hit. 

Virgina Grilled Cheese

Ingredients: 
2 tablespoons butter
4 slices bread (I used whole wheat for Jason and Udi's GF for me)
4 slices sharp cheddar
1/2 honeycrisp apple, sliced thin
 8 slices honey ham

Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Yields: 2 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Method: 

1. Heat a cast iron skillet or seasoned pan to medium-high heat.  Butter one side of each piece of bread.

2. Set one slice of bread butter side down in pan.  Layer cheddar, ham, and apples on bread.  Top with the remaining slice of bread. 

3.  Cook until cheese is melted, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Enjoy!