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The celebration of Spring’s arrival is usually evinced through outdoor physical activity. For our family, however, it means eating and drinking al fresco. We start thinking about picnics and all types of outdoor get-togethers.
Being Outdoors means Picnic!
When someone mentions picnic my mind automatically goes to grilling. Yes, there are great refreshing options that don’t need a grill such as pasta salads and easy charcuterie boards, but for me, it’s not a picnic until something is cooking over some fire.
Written in partnership with CK Mondavi & Family Wines. All opinions solely mine.
Hot dogs, burgers are some of the more traditional options. Just about any meat between two pieces of bread is a hit with guests as they are portable and easy to eat. Few like to have to deal with utensils and plates while socializing and especially while standing.
Grilling is not just for burgers and hot dogs
Nobody likes a good burger or frankfurter cooked on a grill as much as me. For guests, however, I like to mix it up a bit but still maintaining a sandwich theme. I usually find inspiration through our travels, and this year is no exception.
My grilled picnic dish for this Spring was inspired by a recent trip we took to Virginia. We rented a cabin in the woods which had an outdoor fire pit. The weather had already started to turn from cold to warmth, and I knew we were going to do some grilling.
Along with bug spray, and a change of clothes, we also packed a cooler filled with our favorite easy-drinking wines from CK Mondavi and Family. We know that whatever it is I end up cooking, these wines will pair beautifully.
Ck Mondavi & Family Wines
We’ve always believed that drinking a Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or a Sauvignon Blanc makes a great complement to outdoor eating during the Spring months. All that’s needed is to keep the bottles chilled.
I also love CK Mondavi and Family wines because the bottles look as refreshing as the wines inside them. Aesthetic plays a role when hosting. Also, they can easily be served as they are all twist off. Nothing worse than having to find a corkscrew when ready to have a drink.
Country Ham and Cheese
I wanted to create something that would pay tribute to something of the area. Upon looking for ingredients, it was obvious that Virginians pride themselves in their country hams. So ham as the star of our recipe it was.
I also love CK Mondavi and Family wines because the bottles look as refreshing as the wines inside them. Aesthetic plays a role when hosting. Also, they can easily be served as they are all twist off. Nothing worse than having to find a corkscrew when ready to have a drink.
Country Ham and Cheese
I wanted to create something that would pay tribute to something of the area. Upon looking for ingredients, it was obvious that Virginians pride themselves in their country hams. So ham as the star of our recipe it was.
Since we were in a local country market, We also picked up farmers cheese, fresh onions, large vine tomatoes, good bread, home-made pickles, and another local favorite – pimiento cheese spread.
Open fire sandwiches? Why not? If sandwiches can be pressed, why not grilled? If a hot dog can be grilled over fire, why not ham? It was worth the try, and what came out of the trial is now one of our new picnic recipes of the season. Here’s the Dish Our Town recipe:
PrintGrilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches for Picnics
Camp Fire Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches paired with CK Mondavi and Family Chardonnay.
- Prep Time: 2 min
- Cook Time: 6 min
- Total Time: 8 min
- Yield: 8
- Category: sandwich
- Method: grilled
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 lb. Virginia Ham
½ lb. country cheese (or Munster)
A loaf of white bread
1 medium Vadalia onion
1 large vine-grown tomato
Bread and Butter pickles
Pimiento cheese spread (or mustard)
Grass-Fed Butter
Instructions
- Butter the inside of two slices of bread.
- On one slice, spread pimiento cheese or mustard, followed by the pickles and vegetables.
- On the other slice, start with the farmer’s cheese, followed by the Virginia Ham.
- Wrap it all up in aluminum foil and set over the fire (try to avoid heavy flames).
- About 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove from fire and let the sandwich set inside foil for another 2-3 minutes.
- Unwrap foil, cut into 2 rectangular or 4 square pieces, and serve.
- Great to have with a good macaroni or potato salad, with chips of choice.
Notes
This recipe is both fun to make and delicious. To save time it can be prepared as early as the night before, leave in the refrigerator until ready to grill. If hosting at home, under the broiler works as well.
Keywords: grilled sandwich, ham and cheese
Pair with CK Mondavi and family white wines. The Chardonnay, you’ll find will bring out the butter and the ham in the sandwich, as the Sauvignon blanc will emphasize the essence of the pickles and vegetables, while the Pinot Grigio will highlight the cheeses.
Let’s all celebrate Spring and the outdoors with a good grilled sandwich and some cold easy-drinking wines.
