I am often looking for unique casual get-together foods.  Dishes that are slight twists on the average fare that people might serve or bring to a party.  These tasty little sammies are an adaptation of the “Sassy Ham and Cheese Sandwiches” shared by Caryn Ross on Food Network.com and in many varieties all over the web, so I can’t take total credit for them.  However, baking them in a cast iron pan is one of my adaptations.  Cooking in cast iron causes the buns slathered in oniony-cheesy goodness to crisp and really adds to the flavor.  And of course, it wouldn’t be a recipe of mine if there weren’t some additions of great spices to jazz things up a bit. In this case, the addition of fresh grated nutmeg which I often pair with dishes that include Swiss cheese.

As I shared in my Grown-up Mac & Cheese recipe, I use nutmeg in many savory dishes including my chili for an added depth to the flavor that will have people asking what they are tasting. Nutmeg is the hard, brown seed from the nutmeg tree which is a tropical evergreen tree.  Most cooks prefer to grate it fresh from the seed.  The seed should be stored in an airtight container, away from heat, moisture and sunlight.  Though there is some disagreement about storing dry spices in the freezer because they may lose potency, I do store my nutmeg seeds and my ginger root in the freezer.  I pull them out and grate them fresh whenever I need them.  I store them for many months, and have not noticed either losing any flavor or aroma. 
    
Why cook with cast iron?? Cast iron is a great heat conductor so it’s the optimal choice for a perfect crisp. Well-seasoned cast iron is virtually non-stick, so you can use less oil when cooking.  Cast iron, when cared for, lasts for decades.

Rockin’ Ham & Cheese Sliders

1 12 count package Hawaiian style rolls
8 oz thin sliced deli ham (Black Forest or honey smoked are both great in this recipe)
8 oz grated Swiss (Gruyere or Jarlsberg both melt well and are sharp flavors)
1 8 oz block or container of cream cheese
2 t chopped green onions, just the green (chives also work)
1/4 t dried thyme
1 stick butter, melted
2 T grated onion
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t fresh grated nutmeg

Homemade Tater Chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together the cream cheese, nutmeg, thyme and green onions. Grate the Swiss cheese.  Set aside.

Mix together the melted butter, grated onions, Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce.

Thinly slice the potatoes.  I use a mandolin to ensure even slices and that I still have fingers when I am done slicing. Pour about 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil in a skillet for frying the chips.  Preheat over medium high heat to 350 degrees, being careful not to go over the smoking point.

Cut the rolls in half and place the bottoms in the cast iron skillet.  Top each with a couple slices of ham and some of the Swiss cheese.  Spread a large dollop of the cream cheese mixture on the top roll and place on the sandwich.

Pour the butter and onion mixture of the tops of the sandwiches.  Don’t try to be neat, part of the yumminess of these sliders is the cheese, butter and onions that are dripping out of the sandwiches and getting wonderfully crisp while they bake.

Cover the skillet with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.  Remove the foil and and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to brown the tops.

While the sandwiches are baking, fry the potato chips.  Take a paper towel and be sure to dry the slices.  Carefully place 9-12 potato slices in the hot oil.  Do not over-crowd the oil. Fry until golden brown, turning once half-way through.

Remove the chips from the oil to a plate lines with paper towel to drain.  Generously sprinkle with coarse ground sea salt or kosher salt and pepper while the chips are hot. Replace the towels between each batch.

Serve the sliders and chips.  My favorite way to eat homemade  tater chips is to dip in a thick bleu cheese dressing. Mmmm!