Orwasher's Special Sandwich

• FAST

Ingredients

1. 1 teaspoon curry powder
2. 1 Granny Smith apple—peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch matchsticks
3. 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
4. 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
5. 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
6. Salt and freshly ground pepper
7. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8. Eight 1/2-inch-thick slices of raisin pumpernickel bread
9. 1/2 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, cut into 8 thin slices
10. 3/4 pound baked cured ham, cut into 16 slices
11. 2 cups arugula, torn into bite-size pieces

1. In a small skillet, stir the curry powder over moderately high heat until fragrant, about 15 seconds; let cool. In a medium bowl, toss the apple with the lemon juice. Add the onion, mayonnaise, toasted curry powder and a pinch each of salt and pepper and toss again.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet. Set 2 slices of bread in the skillet and top each with a slice of Cheddar, 4 slices of ham, 1/3 cup of the curried apple, another slice of Cheddar and a slice of bread. Weight down the sandwiches with a medium, heavy skillet and cook over moderate heat until the bottoms are toasted and the cheese on the bottom has melted, about 5 minutes. Turn the sandwiches over, press them down and add 1 more tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Brown the second sides, about 5 minutes. Separate the sandwiches between the ham slices and add 1/2 cup of the arugula to each, then reassemble them. Transfer to plates and repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 2 more sandwiches.