Description
Upscale grilled cheese for a weeknight or party. Sweet fig jam balances savory ham and Gruyere.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 large sweet yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4 slices rustic Italian bread, about 1/2 inch thick
- 2 Tbsp butter, at room temperature
- 1 oz (28 g) Gruyere cheese, sliced
- 2 Tbsp fig jam
- 4 slices Black Forest ham
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan over low heat.
- Add a pinch of salt and the thinly sliced onion, stirring to coat.
- Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until onions are soft, golden brown, and caramelized.
- Prepare the Sandwiches:
- Spread one side of each bread slice with softened butter.
- On the unbuttered side of two bread slices, layer half of the cheese slices, then the ham slices, followed by the caramelized onions.
- Top with the remaining cheese slices.
- Spread fig jam on the unbuttered side of the remaining two bread slices and place them, jam side down, on top of the cheese.
- Grill the Sandwiches:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat (approximately 300-350°F (150-175°C)).
- Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
- Carefully flip the sandwiches and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Serve Warm:
- Cut the grilled cheese sandwiches in half and serve warm.
Notes
- For deeper caramelization, cook onions on low heat for a longer time, up to 45 minutes.
- If Gruyere is unavailable, substitute with a similar firm cheese like Comté or Fontina.
- To prevent the bread from burning, reduce heat if the outside browns too quickly before the cheese is melted.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 80