Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Happy National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day! It’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in everyone’s childhood favorite lunch treat. But we bet your mother didn’t make grilled cheese sandwiches like these, which are filled with nutty Gruyère, sweet caramelized onions and peppery arugula. For a heartier meal, partner the sandwiches with your favorite soup, like this smoky lentil soup topped with crisp bacon.

 

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

 

Ingredients

 

• 2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 8 slices sweet batard, cut on the diagonal 1/2 inch (12 mm) thick
• 4 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 10 oz. (310 g) Gruyère cheese, thinly sliced
• A handful of arugula

Directions

 

1. In a griddle pan over medium heat, warm the 2 Tbs. olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Wipe out the pan with paper towels.

 

2. Brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil. Turn the slices over and spread each with 1/2 tsp. mustard. Place half of the cheese on 4 of the bread slices. Top evenly with the caramelized onions and then the remaining cheese. Top each sandwich with one of the remaining bread slices, oiled side up.

 

3. Preheat the griddle pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, place the sandwiches on the pan and cook, turning once, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board, gently open them and arrange the arugula on top. Close the sandwiches and cut them in half. Serves immediately. Serves 4.

 

Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen