Grown Up Grilled Cheese

After my visit to Milk and Honey Bazaar, a Rhode Island specialty cheese shop, I wanted to make grilled cheese sandwiches. No, not your everyday grilled cheese, but some stepped up, "grown up" grilled cheese sandwiches. You may be like my youngest son who thinks grilled cheese sandwiches should be left well enough alone. In his mind a couple of slices between two pieces of buttered white bread is all that a grilled cheese sandwich should be. I, on the other hand, like to kick up my sandwiches every once in a while and I had set my sights on grilled cheese.

Cheddar and Caramelized Onion Sandwich
I made two different cheese sandwiches. The first sandwich was made with a hearty multi-grain bread I got in the bakery at my local grocery store and Atwells Gold cheddar cheese made by Rhode Island's Narragansett Creamery. I bought a pound of the cheddar (at $18.99.pound) at Milk and Honey Bazaar. To kick up this sandwich's flavor I caramelized some onions to place on top of the cheese.

Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Sandwich Ingredients

To make this sandwich you'll need to think ahead and caramelize some onions. You can get the printable recipe for caramelized onions by clicking the link.

Make Plenty of Caramelized Onions

Make this sandwich by placing a couple of slices of cheddar cheese and a generous spoonful of caramelized onions between two slices of of buttered multi-grain bread. I used by George Foreman grill to make a panini-like grilled cheese.

Grill Your Sandwich

Simple to make and delicious, this is a perfect sandwich paired with a glass of crisp white wine.

A Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Sandwich

Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella Sandwich
The second sandwich was inspired by the tomatoes that have ripened in my garden. I wanted to highlight these fresh tomatoes as well as use some of the pesto I made recently from my garden's basil.
You can get the printable pesto recipe by clicking the link.

Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella Sandwich Ingredients

To make this sandwich butter two slices of Italian bread. Spread pesto on the other side of the two slices of Italian bread.

Spread Pesto on the Bread

Place slices of fresh mozzarella and tomato on top of the pesto side of one of the slices of bread. Be sure to season your tomatoes with a little salt and pepper.

Be Sure to Season the Tomatoes

Top with the other slice of bread and grill. I used my George Foreman Grill for this sandwich as well.

Assemble the Sandwich

Ooey, gooey on the inside, crispy, crunchy on the outside. This is one delicious grilled cheese sandwich.

The Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich

We really had fun making and eating these "grown up" grilled cheese sandwiches. It is an easy way to make a quick weeknight dinner by making a simple, everyday food more interesting.

Do you have a sandwich night on your dinner rotation? What are your favorite sandwiches? Try the Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Sandwich and the Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella Sandwich. I think you'll like them. We certainly did.

Enjoy!

Comments

Charise @ I Thought I Knew MamaAugust 10, 2011 at 10:40 AM
My husband would LOVE the carmelized onion one. I'll have to try it!
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Replies
UnknownAugust 10, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Oh yum! Can't wait to try BOTH of these!
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TrishAugust 10, 2011 at 9:56 PM
OMG that looks so effing good! btw, you had me at carmelized onions.
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LauraAugust 10, 2011 at 11:56 PM
Tomato, pesto and mozzarella is my favorite! I'll have to give this recipe a try! =)
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RobinAugust 11, 2011 at 8:05 PM
Fabulous!!!!!
ReplyDelete
Replies
amyAugust 15, 2011 at 5:34 PM
What great ideas for dressing up a cheese sandwich!
ReplyDelete
Replies

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