The Spaniard (Grilled Sandwich) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pimentos, de la vera (Spanish paprika)
8 slices sandwich-size Italian bread
8 thin slices serrano ham (about 3 ounces) or 8 prosciutto (about 3 ounces)
4 ounces young mahon cheese, coarsely grated (you also can use fontina or American Muenster)
4 ounces manchego cheese, coarsely grated
4 fresh piquillo chilies, stems removed, slit lengthwise and opened like a book (can sub canned)

Preparation

In a small bowl, mix the butter and pimenton together.
Spread the pimenton-butter mixture on one side of each of the bread slices. Place 4 slices of bread, buttered side down, on your work surface. Place 2 slices of ham on the bread. Distribute the cheeses over the ham. Lay the chiles over the cheese and top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Put the sandwiches into the pan, cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the undersides are golden brown. Remove the cover and turn the sandwiches, pressing each one firmly with a spatula to compress the filling slightly. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the undersides are well-browned. Turn the sandwiches once more, press firmly with the spatula again, cook for 1 minute, and remove from the pan. Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Cut in half and serve.