Misto QuenteHam & Cheese Melt
A ubiquitous diner snack.
Misto Quente is a classic Brazilian grilled sandwich pressed on a flat top or skillet. Soft sandwich bread is layered with deli ham and Queijo Prato or Mozzarella cheese. Buttering the outer bread faces promotes crisp browning, while gentle press-cooking melts the cheese into a rich, stretchy layer.
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sandwich Bread / Pão Francês — Fresh White Sandwich Bread
- 20 g Softened Unsalted Butter — High-Fat Spread
- 80 g Deli Ham — Thinly Sliced Cooked Ham
- 100 g Queijo Prato / Mozzarella — Sliced Melty Cheese
Method
- Spread softened butterSpread softened butter evenly over one side of each bread slice
- Turn two slicesTurn two slices over and layer ham and sliced cheese across the unbuttered inner sides
- Top with remainingTop with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward
- Place sandwiches onPlace sandwiches on a preheated griddle or panini press set to 165°C
- Press gently andPress gently and cook for 3 minutes per side until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese melts completely
- Slice diagonally andSlice diagonally and serve warm
Questions
How long does Misto Quente take?
About 5 minutes of prep and 6 minutes of cooking — 11 minutes total, yielding 2 sandwiches.
What cheese is in a misto quente?
The classic is ham and mozzarella or requeijão in pão francês, pressed on the griddle with butter until the cheese pulls. It is Brazil's ham-and-cheese, taken seriously.
Why press it on the griddle instead of a toaster?
The flat press toasts the bread in butter and flattens it slightly so the cheese melts through — the crisp-edged, savory-slick result is the point.