This panini was born on a busy weekday when I needed lunch fast but couldn’t face another sad salad. I had leftover ham, a few slices of Swiss, and some crusty bread. I pressed it on the grill, heard that perfect sizzle, and in minutes had this café-style sandwich that tasted like I’d planned it all along. Crispy, buttery, melty — it’s one of those feel-good meals I come back to again and again when I need something warm and totally satisfying.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of crusty bread (ciabatta or sourdough work great)

• 2 tablespoons butter, softened

• 4 slices of deli ham

• 2–4 slices of Swiss or cheddar cheese

• Optional: a swipe of Dijon mustard or sliced tomato

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or panini press to medium heat.

2. Butter one side of each slice of bread.

3. Layer cheese, ham, and any extras on the unbuttered side of the bread. Top with second slice, buttered side facing out.

4. Grill in a panini press or on a grill with a weight (like a cast iron skillet) for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and the cheese is melted.

5. Slice and serve warm.

Nutrition (per sandwich)

Calories: 390
Protein: 18g
Carbs: 28g
Fat: 23g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 2g