re: Baked Ham and Cheese Party Sandwiches Recipe?

Funeral Sandwiches

"Have you heard of Funeral Sandwiches? This is a very old recipe from way back before my time. It was custom to bring a dish to a funeral which is how this very popular recipe got it’s name. It’s a recipe that was named after the occasion it was most served at.

It’s a perfect recipe to bring as a side dish or appetizer to a gathering. It makes one heck of a lunch idea. These sandwiches are anything but boring.

These funeral sandwiches are easy to reheat or my kids may even tell you, it’s delicious even when served cold. I however, prefer them hot out of the oven with the dripping sauce and gooey cheese!

There’s no mourning required to serve up a batch of goodness with this recipe. Oh, and the best part… These funeral sandwiches take all but 5 minutes to whip up and toss in the oven.

I’ve added my own small twist to this very old recipe. I love to add large minced onions to the sauce! Everyone in my house loves the added onions. After it cooks in the oven the extra minced onions on the top come out a bit crunchy. So, so good! It’s an option that is totally worth trying. I use the dried minced onions to add this level of goodness. Try it! You will be impressed."

Ingredients

1 (12-piece package) Hawaiian sweet rolls
1/2 lb thinly sliced deli ham (I’ve been know to mix it with ham and turkey too)
1/2 lb thinly sliced Swiss cheese (or your favorite cheese)
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs Dijon style mustard
2 Tbs brown sugar
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 Tbs dried minced onion (optional)

Procedure

1. Start off by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.

2. You will need a rectangle baking dish. Preferably a 7×10 dish that’s at least 3 inches deep.

3. Remove the Hawaiian sweet rolls from the packaging and slice them in half. Pull all the rolls apart individually and place the bottom portion of the rolls in the baking dish.

4. Layer each roll with ham and cheese evenly. I usually add one of two slices of ham to each sandwich. I also tend to fold one slice of cheese in half for one sandwich. I like to make them hearty. I love using Swiss cheese but another favorite is Provolone. YUMMO!

5. In a medium size bowl, combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, onion powder and the optional minced onions.

6. Place the tops of the rolls on each sandwich and brush each one evenly with the sauce you just made. I be sure to allow each individual sandwich to have sauce the drips down the sides.

7. The old recipe will tell you to cover this dish with plastic wrap or tin foil and set it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Who has time for that? If you do, that’s great but if you don’t, that’s okay too. I’ve placed these sandwiches in the oven right after power the sauce over the sandwiches and to be honest, there’s really no difference at all in my opinion. I wanted to be sure to mention this because it’s a wonderful recipe to make ahead of time without the worry of your sandwiches getting soggy. You can refrigerate them ahead of time and pop them in the oven just before you are ready to eat them.