Description
Grilled cheese evolves with French-inspired caramelized onion and sweet apple slices melting between rustic sourdough bread. Rich, complex flavors merge beautifully, creating a comforting sandwich you’ll crave during cozy autumn afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 ounces (57 grams) brie cheese, sliced into ½ inch slivers
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced ½ inch thick
- 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Fats and Oils:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Transform sliced onions into a rich, golden delicacy by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir periodically, allowing onions to gradually soften and develop a deep amber color over 35-45 minutes. Sprinkle kosher salt midway through cooking and add occasional water to prevent sticking.
- Craft an aromatic sage butter by gently blending finely chopped sage leaves with softened butter and a pinch of kosher salt until thoroughly incorporated.
- Construct the sandwich foundation using sourdough bread, creating layers of flavor and texture. Arrange creamy brie slices as the initial cheese base, followed by sharp cheddar. Delicately position thin apple slices in a slightly overlapping pattern across the cheese.
- Generously distribute caramelized onions over the apple layer, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle additional cheddar to create a cohesive cheese blanket.
- Crown the sandwich with a second sourdough slice, then lovingly brush the exterior with sage-infused butter.
- Warm a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Carefully position the sandwich, allowing the buttered side to create a golden, crispy exterior.
- Grill each side for approximately 6 minutes, watching for a rich, toasted brown color and ensuring the cheese melts into a luxurious, gooey consistency.
- Slice diagonally and serve immediately, celebrating the harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and creamy elements.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to develop rich, sweet flavor without burning.
- Choose a skillet with ample space to allow onions to brown evenly and prevent steaming.
- Use room temperature butter for sage butter to ensure smooth, even spreading on bread.
- Select firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced sweetness and texture contrast.
- Grill sandwiches at medium heat to achieve golden-brown crust and perfectly melted cheese without burning.
- Allow sandwiches to rest for 1-2 minutes after grilling to help cheese set and prevent immediate burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg