Hot Ham Sandwich with Sausage Gravy

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. In large saucepan over medium heat, cook sausage and onions, stirring to break up sausage. Cook until sausage is brown and onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Drain and reserve sausage mixture, and wipe out saucepan.

2. Over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup butter until it bubbles. Add flour and whisk constantly to form a golden roux, 2-3 minutes. Stir reserved sausage mixture into roux. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly to work out any lumps. Simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.

3. Taste gravy and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Recipe makes about 2 cups of gravy.

4. Butter four slices of bread and top each piece with 2 slices of ham. Generously top ham with sausage gravy. Top each sandwich with a second slice of buttered bread.

5. Divide shredded cheese between the four sandwiches, topping each with a generous mound. Place assembled sandwiches on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, 8-10 minutes.

6. While sandwiches bake, fry the eggs. Top each sandwich with a fried egg and serve immediately.