Best Grown Up Grilled Cheese Recipes

GROWN-UP GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Place bread on work surface and spread the outsides of both slices with either butter or mayonnaise, making sure to cover the surfaces. Spread the interiors with either butter, mustard, or fruit preserves. Top one slice of bread with 2 slices of cheese and a combination of your favorite fillings. Sandwich together with second slice of bread.
• Preheat a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the assembled sandwich. Once the cheese starts to melt and the bread on the bottom is golden brown, flip the sandwich; avoid pressing with the spatula to flatten. Grill until cheese has fully melted and the other side is golden brown.

ULTIMATE GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Add 1 1/2 Tbsp butter and olive oil to a skillet and heat over MED-LOW heat. Add diced onions, salt, pepper, fresh thyme and 1 tsp of fresh rosemary to the hot skillet and saute, stirring often, until onions are soft and starting to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Stir brown sugar into the onions and cook another minute.
• Transfer onions to a plate.
• Spread one side of two pieces of bread with a little bit of mayonnaise.
• To the same skillet, add remaining butter and rosemary, and heat over MED heat. Swirl to coat the bottom of the skillet with the melted butter.
• Add both pieces of bread, mayonnaise side down, and cook until bread is golden brown and crunchy, about 2-3 minutes.
• As soon as you add the bread to the skillet, add a bit of cheese to the top of each piece of bread. Once it starts to melt a little, sprinkle a couple tablespoons of the caramelized onions over the top of one of the pieces of bread.
• When the bread is good and golden brown, sandwich the pieces of bread together and cook on LOW until cheese is fully melted.
• Transfer to a plate, repeat with remaining slices of bread and ingredients.
• Slice and enjoy!

ULTIMATE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bacon on a baking rack set over a sheet pan in a single layer and roast for 20 to 30 minutes, until nicely browned. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels and cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, parmesan, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Lay 12 slices of bread on a board and spread each one lightly with butter. Flip the slices and spread each one generously with the mayonnaise mixture. Don't neglect the corners!
• Grate the cheeses in a food processor fitted with the largest grating disk and combine. Distribute the bacon evenly on half of the slices of bread. Pile 1/3 cup grated cheese evenly on top of the bacon and top with the remaining bread slices, sauce-side down.
• Meanwhile, heat an electric panini press. When the press is hot, cook the sandwiches for 3 to 5 minutes in batches until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. Allow to cool for 2 minutes. Cut in half and serve warm.

GROWN-UP FARMHOUSE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Set a rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Lay the pancetta slices on the rack on the baking sheet and bake until crisp, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, set your toaster to a low setting and toast the brioche slices, (they should be slightly dry but not brown).
• Lay 4 slices lightly toasted brioche on a work surface and cover the slices with half the cheese, followed by a slice of tomato. Season each sandwich with a pinch of salt and a healthy grind of black pepper. Top each with 2 pancetta rounds and the remaining cheese. Lay the remaining brioche slices on top and press down lightly. Butter the top of each sandwich with 1/2 tablespoon butter.
• Heat a large griddle pan over medium heat.
• Melt the remaining tablespoon butter on the griddle pan and add the sandwiches, buttered side up. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is beginning to melt. Flip the sandwiches, press lightly, and continue cooking until golden and toasty. Transfer to a cutting board and slice the sandwiches with a serrated knife, on the diagonal. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

"GROWN UP" GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Top the bottom bread slice with the Teleme cheese, then the smoked ham, distributing it evenly. Place top of bread on sandwich and brush with butter.
• Heat a sandwich grill until hot. Set sandwich, butter side down in grill. Butter top side of bread. Place a heavy pan on top of entire sandwich to evenly distribute weight and cook until nicely browned and the cheese is melted, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Transfer the sandwich to a work surface and remove the top slice of bread. Spread the underside of the bread with mustard, and add roasted peppers, if desired.
• Replace the top slice of bread, cut the sandwiches into slices, and serve immediately.