So way back in March I came up with the idea to host a Gourmet Grilled Cheese Night with some friends. Our Pizza Pi(e) night on March 14th (get it? 3.14) went pretty great and figured it would fun to replicate the magic. I’ve come across so many variations of cheese sandwiches since I started cooking, and I’ve made up my own combinations as well. So we planned it for March 29th. However, we ended up postponing for reasons beyond our control and moved the night to sometime in April. With two weddings to attend this month plus Easter plus my Dad’s Birthday plus Wrestlemania plus the release of Captain America, the best night for all of us was April 12. I found out at the beginning of April (after we pushed it to April) that this month was grilled cheese month which kinda blew my mind with its awesomeness. So imagine my utter shock when I saw a tweet on April 13th that the 12th was actually Grilled Cheese Day?! As my friend Adam said, the word kismet comes to mind.
Also, am I a nerd for expressing excitement over my utter cheese wealth? At one time, my fridge contained Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Mozarella, Shredded Italian cheese blend, Ricotta, Mascarpone, Parmesan & Honeyed Goat Cheese all at once! You foodies know what I’m talking about. I ended up being left with a big tub of mascarpone, so feel free to share any of your favourite recipes with me.
We paired all of the Gourmet Grilled Cheese sandwiches with some tomato soup. Definitely one of the most comforting comfort food combinations of all time.
A big Thank you to Ian for the pictures and Tracy for the food styling!
Note: I thank goodness for my Panini Press. For those of you that may not have one, I’ve read that the stovetop method of making grilled cheese works quite well. You basically assemble your sandwich, place it in a greased pan and cover. Cook for a few minutes, flip and repeat until nicely browned on outside and the insides have melted to the point of perfection. Whether you choose to cut in half or not, be careful. The insides are very hot and there’s no worse feeling than that burned roof of your mouth. Or being burned by cheese steam. Yep, that’s a thing. Ask my finger.
Here were our combinations:
1. Broccoli, Mozzarella & Black Pepper
Notes:
– Steam the broccoli for a few minutes until lovely and bright. Make sure it retains its crispness since that crunchy texture is the star of the sandwich.
– Add lots of black pepper (don’t I always say that?)
– You absolutely must use your panini maker or pan fry the sandwich. Whatever you do, make sure it is compressed and that the Mozzarella is nice and gooey and stringy.
2. Smoked Gouda & Red Onion Marmalade
Notes:
– The Marmalade can be made days beforehand. The Recipe is here.
– The smokiness of the cheese and the sweetness of the marmalade make you feel like you’re eating a fancy BBQ flavoured sandwich
– Use your panini press or the stovetop method.
3. Turkey Bacon, Cheddar & Avocado
Notes:
– Absolutely delicious. I think this was the favourite of the evening.
– Cook the bacon using your preferred method beforehand.
– Mash the avocado with a bit of salt, black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. This can be made a few hours (or even a night before, depending on the amount of lemon you use)
– I added additional black pepper (should I even say it anymore? Just assume I always add black pepper)
– Panini Press or stovetop method.
4. Mushroom, Mozarella & Caramelized Onions
Notes:
– To caramelize the onions, I added olive oil, a bay leaf, a splash of white wine, 1/4 tsp of dried rosemary & a splash of cider vinegar to the onions.
– Mushrooms were sauteed in a bit of butter, salt, pepper & soy sauce. Trust me. Soy sauce in mushrooms is the most delicious addition to a dish ever.
5. Honeyed Goat Cheese, Walnut & Caramelized Onion Crostini
Notes:
– Used plait bread but really you can use any sort of thick, crusty bread.
– I mixed dried rosemary & a bit of black pepper into the goat cheese.
– Onions were caramelized with a bit of olive oil and sugar
– Toast complete crostini in 350 degree oven for about 5 -8 minutes until walnuts are toasted & cheese is melty. Constantly check to make sure nothing burns.
6. Asparagus, Ricotta & Roasted Garlic Tartines
– I plan to devote an entire post to this soon. Although I think it was the least favourite of the night, I like it for when you want a nice light lunch without heavy seasoning. Its the kinda lunch that makes you feel satisfied but not bloated when you’re finished, and keeps you full until its almost time for dinner. Its one of those meals that make u realize 4 hours after you’ve eaten that “huh…I forgot about my mid afternoon craving!”
Also, I’m quite happy to update you on the newest jump in my web savvy-ness. I now have an I’ll Cook, You Wash account on Instagram! Follow me at illcookyouwash and check out other meals I’ve made that I’ve loved but simply didn’t have a whole blog post in me for it. Sometimes you just wanna see the food. Let me know if you see something you like and I can direct you to the site/ book / my brain that was used in the creation of the meal.
I’m bringing this to Fiesta Friday because it is still Grilled Cheese Month, but let’s be honest. Anytime is the right time for grilled cheese.
Oh dear. I am having SUCH a hard time picking a favorite! Do you have tiramisu quantities of mascarpone left or less? if less then I loved this recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/bruschetta-with-shrimp-tarragon-and-arugula-recipe.html – swapped the tarragon for basil though..
Thanks Sarah…you don’t have to pick a favorite, you can make all! 🙂 I actually had almost an entire tub (only used 2 tbsp initially lol) but I’ve since used about half for red wine cupcakes. Posting the recipe soon. Will definitely try this recipe out too…thanks!
[…] Indira […]
Oh my!! Can you please give me some of these? 😀
😀 does it count if I try to send it telepathically?
Yes! 😀 Thanks! ❤
After seeing these mouth watering recipes I am changing my menu for next week lol…..excellent combinations!!!
Thanks mom! Still have some marmalade if you want 🙂
These all sound great!
Thanks Alex!
It’s true! Anytime is a great time for grilled cheese! I love all the variations you made. I’m excited for that mushroom, mozzarella, and caramelized onion one myself. “Plus Wrestlemania plus the release of Captain America” — hahaha! I’m glad you have your priorities straight, Indira! I’m guessing the Wrestlemania was for your hubby? I could be wrong, so don’t take offense. How was Captain America? I want to see it…I hear HIMYM’s Colbie Smulders is smoldering it up on screen in The Winter Soldier. Big girl crush, so gotta see it soon!
Thanks Ngan! Lol actually, the Wrestlemania was for me…Its a family tradition so I’ve been watching it for as long as I can remember. With my siblings overseas, we try to keep the little traditions going. Captain America was great…I really think Chris Evans is underrated…Thor’s obliviousness, Iron Man’s wit and cockiness, Hulk’s obvious temper issues – its nice to see a superhero that isn’t defined by one personality trait. And yup…I really do like Colbie Smulders in this role!
Turkey Bacon, Cheddar & Avocado did seem to be the overall favourite for the evening but my personal pick was the Smoked Gouda & Red Onion Marmalade. It had a lot of different flavours going for it that harmonized very well.
Thanks Rabin. I can always count on you for detailed critiques….I’m training you well :p
WOW, Indira…this post is beyond words! It’s like grilled cheese heaven 😛 I may just have to steal your idea – it’s a great “theme dinner”! These sandwiches are absolutely perfect for Fiesta Friday…a little something for everyone! I think I’ll go for the Honeyed Goat Cheese and Walnut first…yummy!
Thanks Nancy! I totally agree that its a great theme dinner. After I put together these recipes, I kept the leftovers and told everyone that they could make their own combination – but by that time everyone was pretty full lol. I can also see this being a recurring event with the endless grilled cheese combinations that exist!
This is my kind of party, Indira!! All that grilled cheese! Droooool!
😀 Thanks Patty! Grilled Cheese (well cheese on the whole) really is my Achilles heel 🙂
What a beautiful & delicious grilled cheese spread. 🙂
Thanks Aditi 🙂 It was more fun to eat lol
For me, grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food! I love all of the variations you have given us tonight! Yummmmmmmy!
I totally agree, Julianna! Its the ultimate anytime food hehehe
Yes indeed it is! 😀
Awesome!! 😀
Thank you! 🙂
Indira, you up for co-hosting this Friday? FF13?
Hubby asked for a grilled-cheese night, btw. My fault entirely; I showed him your post. Not really a fault, come to think of it. Should be an easy dinner solution, don’t you think? 🙂 They all look delicious!
Thanks Angie! It wasn’t bad at all and you’ll have enough ingredients left back for a lovely breakfast or lunch the next day lol. I’d love to co-host this Friday! You’ll just have to remind me what my co-hosting duties will entail 🙂
Will email you tonight or tomorrow. XO
Great. Looking forward to it!
What is your email address?
Illcookyouwash@gmail.com
[…] Grilled Cheese & Kismet from Indira@I’ll Cook You Wash. If Erika made Ngan’s hubby giggle, Indira made my hubby drool. He demanded a grilled-cheese night immediately after I showed him the post. Can’t blame him, really. Just look at all the different varieties of grilled cheese. There’s bound to be a variety you like. Grilled-cheese night might just be the very thing I’m having for my own family’s Fiesta Friday. […]
Wow Indira, so many to choose from, how do I pick a favorite? Awesome post! Btw, I have a mascarpone recipe coming to the fiesta today 🙂
[…] Indira’s wealth of advice and ways for deviations from the classic grilled cheese sandwich, here. Or, if you are up for a twisted take, check out what Purdy has to say about the grilled cheese […]
You’re so inventive! I think I’d vote for the turkey bacon as well but your asparagus and ricotta sounds delicious too 🙂
Wow! I’ve suddenly become very hungry! Really phenomenal looking sandwiches! Can’t decide if I’m going to try the smoked gouda and marmalade or the mushrooms, mozzarella and caramelized onions. Maybe both? Thanks for sharing!
[…] on June 13, 2014 by Indira MC A while ago, I told you about our Grilled Cheese Night, and one of the recipes featured was an Asparagus & Ricotta Tartine. I came across this recipe […]
[…] this blog, you’ll see that I made GC Ravioli in a Walnut Wine Sauce, GC Quesadillas and GC Crostini with thyme & caramelized onions recently. I’ve also used it in a few other recipes I found online and it turned out pretty […]