Turn your ordinary lunch into a mouthwatering meal with this Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich; made with sautéed chard, caramelized balsamic onions and melted cheese, this an irresistible version on the classic sandwich we all love.
Ingredients
For the caramelized balsamic onions:
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
2 pinches of salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
For the grilled cheese:
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 swiss chard leaves, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, as needed
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
4 slices bread (I used a type of crusty Ciabatta bread)
4 thin slices aged pecorino cheese (or any hard white cheese)
4 thin slices cheddar cheese
5 Datterini tomatoes or 1 tomato, sliced
¼ cup fresh basil
Instructions
For the caramelized balsamic onions:
1. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the onions, salt and pepper and saute’, stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes until the onions are soft.
2. Add the sugar and continue cooking for 5 more minutes.
3. Add the balsamic vinegar and turn the heat to low. Continue cooking the onions and stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes until the balsamic vinegar is reduced and not runny.
For the grilled cheese:
1. Sauté the chard leaves in two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the chard leaves are very soft. Salt and pepper to taste.
2. Butter all four slices of bread on one side.
3. Take one piece of bread and place butter side down into the a large sauté pan. Stack with two slices of pecorino cheese, half the tomato slices, half the caramelized onion, half the sautéed chard, two slices of cheddar cheese and half the basil. Place the other half of bread on top, butter side up. Repeat the process for the second grilled cheese sandwich.
4. Turn the heat on to medium and toast until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. Flip the sandwich to the opposite side until the bread is toasted as well. Cut in half and serve immediately.
Recipe by Italicana Kitchen at https://italicanakitchen.com/gourmet-grilled-cheese-sandwich/