Friday, November 3, 2017

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich


Recently I was watching an episode of the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network.
I am especially fond of Ina and like her recipes.  She showed how she makes
what she considers the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich. 

We love grilled cheese at our house.  I just love cheese, period!  Perhaps
it's because I grew up on the North Shore of Chicago, and we were so
close to Wisconsin ~ the dairy state.  I have made grilled cheese sandwiches
similar to Ina's before, but decided to try out her recipe.  I will warn you,
this sandwich is not approved by the American Heart Association, and I
am fairly sure that a cardiologist would cringe at the ingredients.  We 
decided it was worth the risk.  

The inside slices of bread are coated with a mixture of mayo and 
Dijon mustard.  The cheese is grated.  I only had cheddar, but Ina
uses a combo of cheddar and gruyere.  I baked four slices of bacon, like
Ina, and cut them into big chunks.  Ina used grilled onions (I often do this)
but David wanted just sliced raw sweet onions instead.  To assemble the
sandwich do this:

Coat inside of slices bread with mayo and mustard
Layer on shredded cheese
Add chopped bacon
Add sliced onion (or grilled onions)
Another layer of shredded cheese
Top with bread, butter both sides and grill
Yummy!





I usually serve grilled cheese sandwiches with homemade tomato soup,
and often it's made with red peppers. So easy and tasty.

Chop onions and saute in EVOO, add a clove of chopped garlic and
saute briefly.  Add a can of diced tomatoes, a couple of chopped roasted
red peppers and a quart of chicken stock.  Bring to boil, and let simmer
for 30 minutes.



I like to add a spoonful of tomato paste too.  It boosts the flavor.  Salt and 
pepper to taste.  Puree soup in blender.  Return to pot, add a splash of half and
half and heat through.

David gave last night's meal a thumb's up.  Tonight we will be having
a much lower calorie, lower fat meal ;-)

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

18 comments:

  1. My mouth is watering! I haven't had this combination in ages, but now I want it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love Grilled cheese which we don't get or make much here because we can't get American cheese. But this is a great version which I want to try. I love Ina and have her Family Style book which I love to cook from.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are so many other varieties of cheese to choose from besides American. Try them!

      Delete
  3. Both the soup and grilled cheese look great, but I must say that grilled cheese has my mouth wanting a bite!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a cheeseaholic. This sandwich will turn you into one too :-)

      Delete
  4. Mm hmm....perfect dinner for a chilly fall evening! It's weird and drizzly here with just a hint of cold in the air...just right for tomato soup and grilled cheese!!! I've never had it with bacon or grilled onions. Sounds good, though...like a bacon cheeseburger without the meat, more or less. I'll give it a whirl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everything, I mean everything, is better with bacon ;-)

      Delete
  5. Okay- I must have been held captive in a backroom somewhere because I have NEVER seen tomato paste in a tube! Seriously! I wonder what else I am missing in life now.

    Those sandwiches sound phenomenal! OMGosh-- I am practically drooling here and I have never made tomato soup like that. I would have to leave out the peppers because they DO NOT like me (kinda like the old lady next door but that's another story)...

    I hope you and your honey have a great weekend. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Get some tomato paste in a tube! There are so many ways to use it and it will keep for quite a while in the fridge.

      Delete
  6. Oh my, that grilled cheese sandwich looks delicious! Grilled cheese now officially on my menu for next week.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is the ultimate fall luncheon...just delicious looking Susan...You can neve go wrong with Ina..have a lovely weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, yum. Easy and looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

Oliver and I LOVE and read every comment.

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