Gruyère Grilled Cheese with Apple Salad

This technique gets your bread golden and your cheese extra melty, making a simple sandwich something special (the Gruyère and shallots don't hurt either). It's rich enough that one sandwich and a double portion of salad make a satisfying lunch for two. Trust us.

Makes 2

Recipe by Lucques in Los Angeles, CA

Photograph by Matt Duckor

September 2012

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 3/4 cup 1/4-inch-thick sliced shallots
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 1/2-inch-thick slices country-style white bread
• 8 ounces Gruyère, sliced 1/8-inch thick
• 2 cups arugula
• 1/2 apple (such as Pink Lady or Fuji), cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 400°. Heat 2 Tbsp. butter in a small saucepan over high heat. When butter begins to foam, add shallots and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or spatula, until shallots begin to soften and caramelize, 4–5 minutes; remove from heat and set aside.
• Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Working in 2 batches, add 1 Tbsp. butter and swirl in pan to melt butter and coat bottom of pan. Add 2 slices of bread to pan and cook until golden brown and crisp on the bottom, 2–3 minutes. Transfer bread, toasted side down, to a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining butter and bread slices. Divide cheese evenly among bread slices; top cheese with reserved shallots.
• Place baking sheet in oven and bake until cheese is melted, 7–8 minutes.
• Combine arugula, apple slices, lemon juice, and oil in a large bowl; toss to coat and evenly distribute. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.
• Press 2 pieces of bread together, melted cheese sides in; halve sandwich on a diagonal and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining bread slices. Divide salad between plates.

Hungry for More? If you have a question about this recipe, contact our Test Kitchen at askba@bonappetit.com. To see more recipes like this one, check out our Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

• nutritional information

  One serving contains:
  Calories (kcal) 1060
  Fat (g) 75
  Saturated Fat (g) 37
  Cholesterol (mg) 185
  Carbohydrates (g) 56
  Dietary Fiber (g) 4
  Total Sugars (g) 10
  Protein (g) 42
  Sodium (mg) 1110

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