The French have their elevated version of the grilled cheese called the croque monsieur but we can have our bougie version too. I call this version my Fancy Grilled Cheese. Years ago in college, I was having lunch with the Dean and I ordered a grilled cheese. I obviously was not trying to impress anyone with my order. One bite and I was blown away how amazingly delicious something so simple could be with the additional flavors of apples and jam.
After my first visit to one of our on-campus restaurants, I would treat myself to this grilled cheese a few times a month if I was having a long day of classes or let’s face it, if I was just hungry. I still make this grilled cheese to this day and you would not believe how simple it is to make. All you need is sourdough bread, granny smith apples, fig jam, gruyère & cheddar cheese, and unsalted butter.
Below is the best way to layer this grilled cheese. Yes, I have a chart laying out how to order this grilled cheese.
Ever since I’ve gotten more into cooking and baking, I really think about how the first bite hits the tongue. When you take a bite of this grilled chese, you’re instantly hit with the buttery crunch of the bread, then the jam mixed with the cheese, with the tart of the apple hitting you next. It’s a parade of flavors that will leave you dumbfounded how a grilled cheese could be this good. Hope you enjoy my Fancy Grilled Cheese! And it could not have come at a better time of the year as the weather begins to cool off. Make yourself a Fancy Grilled Cheese, turn on the fireplace, and watch your favorite TV show. Sounds like the perfect evening to me. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- Loaf of Sourdough bread (local is best)
- Gruyère cheese
- Cheddar Cheese
- Granny Smith Apple
- Fig Jam
- Unsalted butter
Directions:
- Slice 2 pieces of sourdough bread. Smear the fig jam on one side only of each slice of sourdough bread. Lay the “unjammed” piece of bread on your work space and begin layering. Start with your cheese of choice, let’s say gruyère cheese. Add gruyère on top of the “jammed” slice of bread.
- Then add your thin apple slices (about 3-5). On top of the apple slices, add the other cheese. Then add the other slice of bread with the jam touching the cheese. Melt your unsalted butter and use a pastry brush or basting brush to apply the melted butter to the outer parts of the bread.
- Turn your stovetop to low, grab a pan and place the sandwich down. After a few minutes, flip over. 2-3 minutes later, flip over and increase the heat. The goal is to not burn the bread but slowly grill it so the cheese can get melty in the middle and you have a crunchy outer layer of bread.
- After anywhere from 7-12 minutes, you’re ready to slice and eat!
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