NOT YOUR AVERAGE HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH

There are some things for which there is no explanation.  Like why today’s recipe is called “Funeral Sandwiches.”  Go figure! 

There’s nothing to mourn over with these sandwiches!  They are ham and cheese baked sandwiches that are nothing short of perfect!  They are called Funeral Sandwiches because they were prepared for grieving families who had just lost someone, traditionally in the South.  I guess the name just stuck.   Here in the South, Death is a way of Life!  We still pull the car over to the side on the opposite side of the road when a funeral procession goes by!   And a true Southern gentleman gets out and stands at attention beside his car before the funeral goes by and he can pull away.

We plan entire funeral menus and keep a shelf in our pantries devoted to a sudden death and taking food to the bereaved.  Showering the family of the recently deceased with food gifts is a Southern tradition that dates back generations.  There’s even a book down here called “How to Host a Great Funeral” with food suggestions and recipes!  Once when a friend’s uncle passed away, their little girl said, “Oh goodie!  We’ll get chicken from Lucille” (that’s my Mom and she always brought chicken).  These after-funeral dinners used to always be at the family’s home, but today it more often than not held at the Church.  But never, ever at a restaurant.  This is a time to show the family our love.  And in the South, I guess love means a casserole.  But I always figured that this was just one of the reasons why Southern parents always told us children “Don’t forget your raising!”  How could we ever let this beautiful tradition fall by the wayside!

According to the Huffingtion Post, the Oxford Encyclopedia for Food and Drink in America has this to say about Funeral Foods:  common funeral food gifts include "fried chicken, baked ham, potato salad, deviledeggs, rolls, pound cake, and endless pies." Casseroles and "funeral potatoes" (hash browns, sour cream, and cream soup that is topped with a cornflake crust) are also popular.  Throw in a green bean casserole and candied yams, and you’ve got a Southern Funeral!

Great Southern Funeral Food

Casseroles (especially those made with anykind of cream soup)

Chicken ‘n dumplings
BBQ
Lasagna
Potatoes (mashed or au gratin)
Homemade mac ‘n cheese
Dinner Rolls
Ham (spiral sliced preferred, but not mandatory)
Homemade sweets of any kind
Potato/Chicken/Pasta salad

Funeral Sandwiches (recipe follows)

The little sandwiches are so easy, you can make TONS for big crowds who gather for the after-funeral dinners.  It will take you just five minutes to assemble the sandwiches, and they only bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the buns are perfectly browned. You'll never want to make a boring deli sandwich again after trying this delicious ham sandwich recipe.  But no one has to die to get them.  They’d be great for Game Day parties, family gatherings, or scaled down for use at lunch any time.  But they really are an easy and special thing to make when someone passes on and the family needs food brought in.  And after all, DON’T FORGET YOUR RAISING!

FUNERAL SANDWICHES

1 lb. sliced of Virginia or deli honey ham, sliced thin

24 slices Swiss cheese, cut in half

1/3 cup Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoona Poppy seeds

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 cup Butter melted

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

 1 tablespoon Onion Powder

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 packages (12 count) KING'S HAWAIIAN Original Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls

Cut rolls in half and spread mayo onto 1 side of the rolls. Place a slice or two of ham and slice of swiss cheese in roll. Replace the top of the rolls and bunch them closely together into a 9x13 baking pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together poppy seeds, dijon mustard, melted butter, brown sugar, onion powder and worcestershire sauce.   Pour sauce over the rolls, just covering the tops. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for additional 2 to 5 minutes until tops are slightly browned and crisp. Serve warm.