Hot Ham Sandwich with Sausage Gravy

Preparation

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

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