HARDEE’S: BIG HOT HAM ’N’ CHEESE

SAVE: 73 CALORIES, 11 G FAT, 7 G SAT. FAT

There was a time I thought that ham was so fattening, I’d have to say goodbye to it forever. This was particularly daunting because, as a kid, one of my favorite things to do with my mother was make homemade Spam. She’d put my sister and me on the kitchen counter, then pull the leftover ham from the refrigerator. She’d let us help grind it—watching it emerge from the grinder was just about the coolest thing for a little kid. We’d then add mayo and relish, and voilà. It was so good. And although not even my mom would eat homemade Spam today, the thought of ham always makes me smile.

Fortunately, we’ve come a long way nutritionally, and some ham is actually pretty lean. After losing weight, I never thought I’d consider eating a big meaty ham and cheese sandwich, but now I can and you can too, as inspired by Hardee’s.

1 sesame seed sandwich bun (about 5")

4 ounces packaged 97% fat-free shaved delicatessen honey ham

3 slices (½ ounce each) 2% milk Swiss-style cheese

PREHEAT a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place the bun top and bottom, cut-sides down, in the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until toasted.

Meanwhile, lay a sheet of waxed paper on a microwavable plate. Pile half of the ham on the waxed paper. Top with 1 slice cheese. Pile on the remaining ham and then the second slice of cheese. Place in the microwave oven. Cook on low power for 10 seconds. If the center cheese has not started to melt, cook in 10-second intervals until the center cheese starts to melt and the ham is heated.

Place the bun bottom on a plate. Flip the ham and cheese stack onto the bun. Remove the waxed paper. Top with the remaining 1 slice cheese and the bun top.

MAKES 1 SERVING

447 calories, 35 g protein, 45 g carbohydrates, 13 g fat, 6 g sat. fat, 2 g fiber

Original Hardee’s Big Hot Ham ’N’ Cheese: 520 calories, 40 g protein, 40 g carbohydrates, 24 g fat, 13 g sat. fat, 2 g fiber

BEFORE YOU START Sesame seed sandwich buns, the 5" size, are larger than standard hamburger buns, which are about 3½". Look for bagged sesame seed sandwich buns in the same supermarket aisle as the hamburger buns. To make sure you have the larger size, grab a package of the hamburger buns for comparison.