Grown Up Grilled Cheese with Brie, Cheddar and Shallots
Equipment – Large non-stick skillet or griddle
Look for a cheddar aged for about one year (avoid cheddar aged for longer; it won’t melt well). To quickly bring the cheddar to room temperature, microwave the pieces until warm, about 30 seconds. The first two sandwiches can be held in a 200-degree oven on a wire rack set in a baking sheet.
Grown Up Grilled Cheese with Brie, Cheddar and Shallots
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 7 ounces / aged cheddar cheese cut into 24 equal pieces, room temperature
- 2 ounces / Brie cheese rind removed (the one from Costco works well)
- 2 tablespoons / dry white wine or vermouth
- 4 teaspoons / minced shallot sautéed in butter
- 3 tablespoons / unsalted butter softened or use mayo on the bread instead
- 1 teaspoon / Dijon mustard
- 8 slices / hearty white sandwich bread Using rye bread adds another layer of flavor and Peg likes it too.
Instructions:
- Process cheddar, Brie, and wine in food processor until smooth paste is formed, 20 to 30 seconds. Sauté shallot until just golden and then add to processor and pulse to combine, 3 to 5 pulses. Combine butter and mustard in small bowl.
- Working on parchment paper–lined counter, spread mustard butter evenly over 1 side of slices of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and spread cheese mixture evenly over slices. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread, buttered sides up.
- Preheat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. (Droplets of water should just sizzle when flicked onto pan.) Place 2 sandwiches in skillet; reduce heat to medium-low; and cook until both sides are crispy and golden brown, 6 to 9 minutes per side, moving sandwiches to ensure even browning. Remove sandwiches from skillet and let stand for 2 minutes before serving. Repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches.