Ham and Egg Sandwich with Horseradish and Onion Buttered Buns

this post is mostly to share a revelation i had when trying to figure out how to jazz up an egg sandwich: you can spread the buns with a compound butter and toast them in a pan to impart a whole new level of flavor and crispiness. simple i know but this was SO good! it doesn’t have to be served with ham and egg, it can be with anything. you could prepare buns for a hamburger this way and i’m sure it would be amazing! you can make this more or less spicy by changing the amount of horseradish you add to the butter. and even better, if you have leftover butter, just roll it into a log in a piece of plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge for next time you want to add some extra flavor to something.

i know it seems like a simple thing, but it’s like having that yummy exterior from a grilled cheese inside your sandwich but with even more flavor. i love toasted buns with sandwiches anyway but this take it to another level! it would be easy to change the flavor profile of this to whatever you want as well.

i do have to say that the combination of my sandwich was quite delicious, so i do recommend trying it. the spicy, toasty, buttery toasted kaiser bun with the salty ham, the drippy golden yolk of the egg and the melted cheese make a perfect bite for breakfast or anytime of the day really.

ham, egg and cheese sandwich with horseradish and onion toasted bun

Horseradish and Onion Butter

ingredients (enough for 2 or 3 sandwiches):

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tsp prepared horseradish (more or less to taste)
• 2 tsp grated yellow or sweet onion
• 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt

directions:

• allow butter to soften to room temperature OR, if in a rush, cut into pieces and heat in microwave on 50% power about 30 to 40 seconds (it is OK to soften butter in microwave for this recipe because you are not baking anything. do not soften butter in microwave when baking)
• mix all ingredients together. taste and adjust seasonings if necessary
• spread onto your bread of choice

buttered kaiser buns

• toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and toasty (about 3 minutes)

toasted buns

• if you have extra butter, roll up in a piece of plastic wrap and save for later

to build my sandwich (2 of them) you will need:

• four slices of sliced ham
• 2 slices of american of cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• butter for frying the eggs (you can use some of the horseradish butter if you have some left)
• 2 kaiser or brioche buns
• salt and pepper

assembly:

• toast buns as in above recipe
• fry two eggs over easy or medium (your preference) over medium heat in butter, seasoning with salt and pepper
• warm ham slices in skillet
• place a piece of cheese over each egg to melt
• layer your sandwich from bottom to top: bottom bun, ham, egg, cheese, top bun

building the sandwich

• enjoy!

nom nom