Spicy Hot Ham and Cheese Mini Sandwiches

Spicy Hot Ham and Cheese Mini Sandwiches

Every Thursday evening my husband Joe participates in a local pool league. The team he plays for is mostly middle aged Korean people and they're very wonderful and giving. In fact they always provide dinner before the games. Sometimes the food is amazing. I'm practically drooling just thinking of the spicy chicken soup they made one time. However sometimes we show up and the food is raw squid tentacles or chopped up pigs feet... that's where we drew the line. I asked if it would be alright for me to contribute some food to the events. 

Not quite melted enough.... back into the oven!

I've noticed that my generation of Korean people tends to enjoy western style food but the middle age+ generations find it bland. Probably because if the food isn't so spicy that it makes you cry they can't taste it. So cooking for the team proved to be a bit of a challenge. The first week I made pasta, about 3/4ths was consumed. The second week I made spicy chicken; not spicy enough for them. This past week, however, I made spicy hot ham and cheese mini sandwiches. I had seen a ton of pins recently for those delicious looking King's Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sandwiches but I knew they would be far far too tame for this particular audience. So I spiced these bad boys up a bit and in the 5 minutes it took my husband to run to the ATM they were completely gone! The team has since been begging for me to make them again.

Thus I give you my newest creation...

Spicy Hot Ham and Cheese Mini Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 pack of Kings Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

1lb sliced Deli Ham

1lb Pepperjack cheese

3 TBSP melted Butter

1 TBSP Poppy Seeds 

3 TBSP Ground Fresh Garlic (chopped works too, but I recommend you pop it in a food processor)

1 1/2 TBSP Spicy Mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (separated to use 1/4 tsp at a time)

Step 1:

     Slice the rolls in half length wise being sure to keep the rolls on each half intact

Step 2: 

     Set the bottom half in a baking dish and layer with the ham and cheese then sprinkle with 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper.

Step 3: 

     In a separate bowl mix together remaining ingredients to create a paste.

Step 4:

     Place the top half of the buns on the sandwiches and spread the mixture over the tops.

Step 5:

     This is optional but highly recommended... Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors soak into the sandwiches.

Step 6:

     Place the foil covered pan into a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the center is sufficiently warmed and cheese is melted, Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes or until lightly toasted. Serve warm.

Enjoy!

Covered in the marinade and headed to the refrigerator

Prior to baking.