Grilled Ham-and-Pimento-Cheese Sandwiches with Fonduta and Fried Eggs

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons minced leek
• 1 1/3 cups milk
• 1 small thyme sprig
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded (1 1/4 cups)
• 2 ounces Taleggio cheese, rind removed and cheese cut into chunks
• 2 ounces freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/4 cup finely chopped piquillo peppers or other roasted red peppers
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
• 8 large slices of country bread
• 4 ounces thinly sliced serrano ham or country ham
• 4 fried eggs, for serving

1. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with the flour and cook over moderate heat, whisking, until bubbling, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the leek and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes.
3. Whisk in the milk until a smooth sauce forms.
4. Add the thyme sprig and nutmeg and cook, whisking, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. Discard the thyme sprig.
6. Remove from the heat and whisk in the Fontina, Taleggio and Parmigiano until melted.
7. Scrape 1/2 cup of the fonduta into a medium bowl and freeze just until no longer hot, about 10 minutes.
8. Stir in the piquillo peppers, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, black pepper and cheddar.
9. Spread the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter onto 1 side of each bread slice.
10. Lay the bread buttered side down on a work surface.
11. Top half of the slices with the pimento cheese mixture and the ham.
12. Close the sandwiches.
13. Preheat a griddle.
14. Griddle the sandwiches over moderate heat, turning once, until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes.
15. Rewarm the remaining fonduta.
16. Transfer the grilled cheese sandwiches to plates and spoon the fonduta on top.
17. Top with a fried egg and serve right away.

unsalted butter, flour, leek, milk, thyme, nutmeg, cheese, taleggio cheese, cheese, piquillo peppers, sherry vinegar, worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, freshly ground black pepper, cheddar cheese, country bread, serrano ham, eggs

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/grilled-ham-and-pimento-cheese-sandwiches-fonduta-and-fried-eggs (may not work)