National Grilled Cheese Month

So I mentioned in my last post that April is NationalGrilled Cheese Month.  Here are the 'fancy' grilled cheese sandwiches we tried this week.  Honestly, some of these have so much stuff on them, I'm not sure what qualifies them as a "grilled cheese" other than the fact that they also have cheese on them and the way you cook it, but whatever...YUMMO!

Lasagna Grilled Cheese

(makes 2 sandwiches)

4 slices of bread (I used sourdough)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter with a dash of olive oil

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

salt and pepper to taste

1-14oz can stewed tomatoes

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1.     Melt butter and mix in olive oil

2.     Brush butter mix on one side of bread slices.

3.     In a small bowl mix ricotta, basil, salt and pepper.

4.     Top each slice of bread with a bit of mozzarella cheese.  Top two of the bread slices with a few sliced or diced tomatoes.  Spread ricotta mixture on the remaining two slices of bread

5.     Assemble sandwich halves and place in warmed skillet.  

6.     Grill on each side until golden.  Remove from the pan and allow to rest for 3 minutes before slicing in half and serving.  

Lasagna Grilled Cheese

Monterey Chicken Grilled Cheese

(Serves 4)

1lb chicken breasts or stips, pounded thin


extra virgin olive oil


salt & pepper


8 slices hearty Italian bread


2 vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced


8 slices cooked bacon


BBQ sauce


Cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded

1. Brush chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil on both sides then season with salt and pepper. Grill, saute, or bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Cool slightly then cut into thick slices.

2. Brush one side of each piece of bread with extra virgin olive oil then turn so oiled-side is facing out.

3. Lay chicken slices on half the bread then top with tomato slices, 2 slices of bacon, BBQ sauce, and then cheese.

4. Top with remaining bread slices then cook in a large skillet or panini press until both sides are golden brown.

Monterey Chicken Grilled Cheese

Roasted Jalapeno and Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich


Ingredients:

•                bread (we used whole wheat)

•                6-7 jalapenos, halved with seeds and ribs removed

•                whole milk queso fresco, sliced thin

•                2 avocados, thinly sliced or mashed

•                Sour cream

Directions:

1.              On the broiler setting, roast the jalapenos cut side down for about 5-6 minutes, or until the jalapenos are just starting to char.

2.              Place a few slices of cheese on one slice of bread. Add the jalapenos on top.

3.              On the other slice of bread, spread a thin layer of sour cream.

4.              Assemble the sandwich and grill for several minutes until the cheese is melted.  Add the avocado slices onto the sandwich after grilling.

Roasted Jalepeno and Avocado Grilled Cheese

Turkey Pesto Grilled Cheese

• Artisan bread (I used sourdough)
• pesto 
• provolone cheese
• herb roasted turkey 
• Fresh tomatoes

1. Take two slices of bread, slather each side with pesto.  Add cheese and turkey.  

2.  Butter the outside  of the sandwich and grill it on a hot griddle until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. 

3.  Once it is all melty, remove from the griddle and add fresh tomato

Enjoy!