Mini Pastrami "Soccer Ball" Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of a mixture of grated Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/3 cup pickled peppers, such as peppadews, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
• 32 pumpernickel squares
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 220 g thin slices of pastrami
• 16 slices of pickled cucumbers
• 1-2 10cm slices of white cheese, such as Muenster or American (processed)
• Additional device: 16 toothpicks

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 190°C.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the grated cheese, pepper, mayonnaise, mustard, and pickled peppers. Place 4 slices of bread on a cutting board. Using a knife or a 6-cm round cookie cutter, cut out American football shapes from the bread; set the scraps aside for another use. Cut out the remaining bread in the same manner.
3. Place the bread slices on a rimmed baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Place in the oven and toast until crisp, about 5 minutes.
4. Spread 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture on the bread. Top with some pastrami, a pickle, and another slice of bread.
5. To make the laces, cut the cheese into 16 long strips. Cut each strip into 1 long and 3 short pieces. Place the long strip lengthwise on the sandwich, then 3 short strips across the long one to look like the laces of a ball.
6. Repeat with all the cheese strips. Return the sandwiches to the oven for 2 minutes to allow the cheese strings to set. Secure the sandwiches with toothpicks and serve.