MINI SAGE-AND-FONTINA GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Mini Sage-and-Fontina Grilled Cheese Sandwiches image

Provided by Lora Zarubin

Yield Makes 32

Number Of Ingredients 5

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
5 teaspoons chopped fresh sage plus 32 whole fresh sage leaves
16 5 x 3 x 1/2-inch slices country-style bread, crust removed
1 cup (packed) coarsely grated Fontina cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup (packed) finely grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle with salt. Pour half of butter into small bowl and reserve. Add chopped sage to remaining melted butter in saucepan; stir over medium heat 30 seconds.
Arrange 8 bread slices on work surface. Brush top side with all of melted sage butter. Divide Fontina cheese among bread slices; sprinkle Parmesan over each, dividing equally. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Top with remaining 8 bread slices, pressing to adhere. Brush top side of sandwiches with some of reserved plain melted butter. Press 4 whole sage leaves atop each sandwich to adhere.
Heat 2 heavy large skillets over medium heat. Place 4 sandwiches, sage-leaf side down, in each skillet and cook until golden brown on bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Brush top of sandwiches with remaining plain melted butter; turn sandwiches over and cook until golden brown on bottom and cheese melts, about 4 minutes. Transfer sandwiches, sage-leaf side up, to cutting board. Cut each sandwich into 4 pieces (each mini sandwich should contain 1 whole sage leaf). Transfer to platter and serve.