Grilled Cheese
This recipe crafts a gourmet grilled cheese featuring country-style white bread, sharp farmhouse Cheddar, crispy bacon, and thinly sliced green apple. Spread with Dijon mustard and buttered, it's cooked on a griddle until golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted, offering a harmonious blend of savory, tart, and rich flavors.
Equipment
- 1 Griddle or Large Skillet Alternatively, a panini press can be used.
- 1 Spatula For flipping sandwiches.
- 1 Sharp Knife For slicing the green apple and cheese.
- 1 Cutting Board For prepping ingredients safely.
Ingredients
Main
- Dijon mustard
- Eight 1/2-inch thick slices country-style white bread
- 12 ounces farmhouse Cheddar sliced
- 12 slices bacon cooked to desired doneness
- 1 green apple thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-low heat. Alternatively, you can use a panini press if you have one.
- Generously spread the Dijon on 4 slices of bread. Top each slice with some of the Cheddar, 3 pieces of bacon, some apple and additional Cheddar. Place a slice of the remaining bread on top of each sandwich and spread with the butter. Place a sandwich on the skillet buttered-side down and butter the remaining side. Cook until the cheese is slightly melted and the bread is browned. Flip the sandwich and continue to cook until the cheese is thoroughly melted and the sandwich is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
Notes
For the best grilled cheese, always start with medium-low heat. This allows the buttered bread to achieve a deep golden-brown crust while giving the cheese ample time to melt thoroughly without burning the exterior. Using good quality country-style bread provides a robust structure to hold the fillings. The Dijon mustard adds a pleasant tang that cuts through the richness of the Cheddar and bacon, while the thinly sliced green apple introduces a crucial tart, crisp counterpoint. Don't overcrowd the pan; cook sandwiches in batches if necessary to maintain even heat and browning. For an extra luxurious crust, consider clarified butter (ghee) or a mix of butter and a neutral oil.