Brie, Ham, and Pear Panini

4 slices sourdough, whole wheat, or white bread
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 ounces thinly sliced Black Forest ham
1 firm but ripe Bartlett or d’Anjou pear, peeled, halves lengthwise, cored, and each half cut lengthwise into 3 thick slices.
Freshly ground pepper
2 ounces Brie cheese, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter, softened

Preheat a panini maker, grill pan, or griddle over medium to medium-high heat
Place 2 Slices of bread on a work surface and spread half of the mustard on each slice
Divide the ham between the 2 sandwiches and arrange on top
Add 3 slices of pear to each sandwich and grind a bit of pepper over the pear slices
Top the pears with slices of cheese
Place a slice of bread on top and butter the top slices of bread with half of the butter (If using a panini maker, butter both sides of the bread before grilling.)
Place the sandwiches in the panini maker and close the lid
Grill until nicely browned on both sides. For a grill or griddle, place the sandwiches buttered side down on the hot grill or griddle
Butter the topside of the sandwiches
Grill until nicely browned on one side and then flip and grill the other side
Cut each sandwich in half and serve immediately

Cook’s Note:
This sandwich is also delicious using Gruyere cheese instead of Brie.