Cheesy Ham Toast

The inspiration for this recipe came from Shrimp Toast.  But, as you can see from the name of this post, it metamorphosed immensely from conception to end product. 

Allow me to explain my thought process.  Since shellfish should be avoided by very young children and since most of the older ones that I know don’t like shrimp, it needed to be replaced.  Then of course, there is the need to add a healthy element (the broccoli).  So, after several recipe revisions in my head and several actual trial runs, I ended up with Cheesy Ham Toast.  The shrimp has been replaced by ham and the cheese was added along with egg substitute as the binding agent.  The final result has very little resemblance to Shrimp Toast, but tasty nonetheless. 

                   

Cheesy Ham Toast

6 slices of Country White bread or any other firm sandwich bread

1 cup coarsely chopped deli honey ham

3/4 cup coarsely chopped cooked broccoli

1/4 cup egg substitute

1.5 cup shredded cheese, divided (I used four cheese pizza blend)

a pinch each of salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper

1 -2 tbsp. olive oil

Place ham, egg substitute, broccoli, salt, pepper, cayenne, and 1/4 cup of cheese in a food processor and pulse (for less than a minute) until mixture is minced, but not pureed.  

Place bread slices on a cookie sheet and brush the tops with olive oil.  Broil on HIGH until bread turns golden brown, about 1 minute.  Remove from oven, turn slices over and brush the tops with olive oil.  Broil the second side until golden brown.  Remove from oven.

Spread ham mixture on each slice of bread.  Top off with the remaining cheese.  Broil on LOW for about 7-8 minutes or until cheese bubbles and develop light brown spots.

Cut into wedges and serve.