NANA’S HAM AND CHEESIES (A.K.A. PARTY SANDWICHES)

Siblings KATHERINE PAIGE and JACKSON CAMPBELL HELTSLEY (Nashville, Tennessee) call their grandmother, DANNA LAUGHLIN (Murfreesboro, Tennessee), Nana. Nana adapted these simple, flavorful party sandwiches from a recipe used by her husband’s stepmother, Ruth Laughlin, for many years. Kate and Jack love these sandwiches and have renamed them Nana’s Ham and Cheesies. They are just the right size for little fingers and to serve for grown-up appetizers.

1 tray (12 each) finger-size dinner rolls in tin pan

12 slices thinly sliced ham

6 slices American cheese

1 stick butter

2 tablespoons poppy seeds

2 tablespoons onion flakes

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

1 Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

2 Remove the rolls from the package and slice in half lengthwise. Fold the ham slices in half and then in half again. Place one folded square on the bottom half of each roll. Quarter the 6 slices of cheese to make 24 small squares. Place 2 squares of cheese on top of the folded ham on each roll. Place the sandwiches back into the foil tin they came in.

3 In a small saucepan combine the butter, poppy seeds, onion flakes, brown sugar, and mustard together and heat on medium until hot and thoroughly blended. Brush the heated mixture over the tops of the sandwiches.

4 Cover the tin completely with foil and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the sandwiches are heated well through. Serve warm.

MAKES 12 SERVINGS.