Elevated Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions – A great grilled cheese sandwich is a masterpiece of simplicity and taste. It is all about the perfect balance of crispy bread and gooey melted cheese. Today we are using Pepper Jack Cheese with Caramelized Onions on Sourdough Bread. On the side, we have sliced avocado. We also have Dave’s Pickles. Additionally, there are beautiful heirloom tomatoes. These are served with an olive oil/balsamic drizzle and topped with a basil chiffonade.
Our guest for Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders is Neil Willenson, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. Neil Shows us how to make his Elevated Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions.
You can also listen to the podcast version of this interview and cooking episode –
Elevated Grilled Cheese
Neil makes the Elevated Grilled Cheese with Pepper Jack Cheese and Carmelized Onions.
We add some tasty accompaniments. These include sliced avocados and heirloom tomatoes. We also use olive oil and balsamic drizzle on the tomatoes. Finally, we top it off with a basil chiffonade.
The History of the (Elevated) Grilled Cheese
The history of the grilled cheese sandwich is pretty fascinating! While the concept of combining bread and cheese dates back to ancient times, the modern grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today has more recent origins.
Ancient Times: The idea of melting cheese on bread can be traced back to Ancient Rome, where people enjoyed flatbreads topped with melted cheeses like pecorino or ricotta.
Early 1900s: The American version of the grilled cheese can be traced back to the early 20th century. In 1915, Kraft Foods invented processed cheese, which could be distributed without spoiling. This invention made cheese more accessible and more affordable.
1920s: The invention of the bread slicer in the 1920s made sliced bread widely available. You’ve heard the phrase “The greatest invention since sliced bread”. This is where it traces back to. So, Kraft’s processed cheese and pre-sliced bread led to the creation of the “toasted cheese sandwich,” which was the beginning of the grilled cheese.
World War II: Cooks in the Navy made what they called “American cheese-filling sandwiches” for the sailors. It was a fancy way to say open-faced grilled cheese sandwiches.
1950s: The modern grilled cheese sandwich became popular in the 1950s. It consisted of two slices of bread with melted cheese in between. Kraft started selling Kraft Singles in 1949, making it even easier to make grilled cheese sandwiches.
Today, grilled cheese sandwiches remain a beloved comfort food, with countless variations and gourmet versions available in restaurants across the country.
Elevating a grilled cheese sandwich can be a fun and delicious experiment! Here are some ideas to take your grilled cheese to the next level:
Elevated Grilled Cheese Extras
1. Cheese Varieties
Mix and Match: Combine different cheeses like sharp cheddar, Gruyere, mozzarella, or blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
Specialty Cheeses: Try using Brie, goat cheese, or smoked Gouda for a gourmet touch.
2. Bread Choices
Artisan Breads: Use sourdough, rye, or a hearty multigrain bread instead of plain white bread.
Flavored Bread: Consider using garlic bread or bread with herbs baked in.
3. Add-Ins
Vegetables: Add sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, avocado, spinach, or roasted red peppers.
Fruits: Thin apple, pear, or fig slices can add a sweet contrast.
Proteins: Include bacon, ham, turkey, or even a fried egg for extra richness.
4. Condiments and Spreads
Pesto: Spread some pesto on the inside of the bread for a burst of flavor.
Mustard: A bit of Dijon or honey mustard can add a tangy kick.
Jam: Try a layer of fig jam or apricot preserves for a sweet and savory combination.
5. Cooking Techniques
Butter Alternatives: Use mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for a crispier crust.
Panini Press: Use a panini press for even cooking and beautiful grill marks.
Herbed Butter: Mix herbs like rosemary or thyme into your butter before spreading it on the bread.
6. Extra Touches
Herbs and Spices: Sprinkle some fresh herbs like basil or thyme inside the sandwich.
Crunch: Add a handful of crushed potato chips or crispy onions for texture.
Experimenting with these ideas can turn a simple grilled cheese into a gourmet delight. 🧀🍞
Basil Chiffonade for Elevated Grilled Cheese
A Basil chiffonade is the technique used to finely slice fresh basil leaves into thin ribbons or strips. This method is commonly used to garnish dishes or incorporate basil into recipes where a visually appealing presentation is desired. To chiffonade basil, stack several leaves on top of each other. Roll them tightly into a cylinder shape. Then slice across the rolled leaves to create thin strips. This results in uniformly cut basil ribbons that can enhance the flavor and appearance of various dishes, such as salads, pasta, or bruschetta.
Elevated Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions
Equipment
- Griddle
Materials
- 1 onion caramelized
- 1 loaf sourdough bread warmed & sliced
- 1/4 lb butter
- 1/2 lb pepper jack cheese slices
- 1 jar Dave’s Pickles for garnish
- 1 Avocado sliced for garnish
- 1 Tomato sliced for garnish
- olive oil drizzle
- balsamic drizzle
- basil chiffonade
Instructions
- Saute onions until caramelized
- butter sourdough bread slices
- place on griddle, butter side down
- add cheese to every slice of bread
- top the cheese with the onions on every other slice
- place bread slice on onion cheese slice of bread and flip
- allow to crisp, and remove from the gridlle
- serve with your choice of garnishes
Video
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Very tasty grilled cheese with caramelized onions
This Elevated Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions recipe looks amazing Charlie!