MUSHROOM GRUYERE GRILLED CHEESE

Mushroom Gruyere Grilled Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 2 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 19

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1/2 cup robiola fresca cheese, at room temperature (substitute cream cheese if unavailable)
1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon white truffle oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds mixed wild and cultivated mushrooms, trimmed and thickly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
4 slices pan de mie or French Pullman bread, cut 3/4-inch thick
1 stick (8 tablespoons) European-style butter, at room temperature
4 thin slices Gruyere
4 thin slices fontina
4 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, tarragon, chives and chervil)
Coarse sea salt

Steps:

For the truffle spread: Thoroughly combine the robiola, lemon zest, rosemary, truffle oil and some salt and pepper in a bowl. Reserve at room temperature.
For the mushrooms: Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add just enough of the mushrooms to loosely cover the bottom of the skillet (you should be able to see the pan between the mushrooms). Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes, then gently turn the mushrooms over as they brown and soften.
Add a little chopped shallot and garlic, some butter and some rosemary and thyme to the pan. Continue cooking until the mushrooms are tender, about 2 minutes more; transfer to a paper towel.
Wipe out the skillet and repeat the process, cooking the mushrooms in small batches. Reserve at room temperature.
For the grilled cheese: Preheat a griddle over moderately low heat to 350 degrees F.
Brush one side of each bread slice with softened butter. Spread the opposite side with truffle spread (1/4 cup per slice). Top each with a slice of fontina and a slice of Gruyere Spoon 1/2 cup of the mushrooms onto each slice. Sprinkle with the herbs and season with salt. Close the sandwiches.
Set the sandwiches on the hot griddle and press with a large baking sheet weighted down with cans. Cook until toasted, 3 minutes per side.
Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and serve hot.