Last Updated August 7th, 2022 at 10:55 pm by Lisa
American classic comfort food elevated to the next level. A chic, fancy gourmet grilled cheese straight out of a French cafe.
It has a toasty exterior made from parmesan encrusted golden bread. Each slice has a bit of Dijon mustard, stacked with creamy melted brie, crunchy cornichon pickles, pink pickled onions, and topped with crisp spring salad tossed with parmesan vinaigrette.
At first bite, this will take you straight to a sidewalk bistro, and might just be the best sandwich you ever tasted...
How To Make A Fancy Grill Cheese
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons soft butter
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 4 slices brie
- 5 cornichon pickles
- pickled red onion 3-4 slices
- heirloom tomato 2-3 thick slices
- 1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard
- 1 cup baby spring lettuce
- parmesan vinaigrette
- Make pickled red onions if using them in your sandwich. Set out your butter, its easier with soft butter.
- Heat a hot griddle or a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Spread a bit of butter on each slice of bread, sprinkle parmesan on the pan and lay the buttered bread side down on top of the cheese in the pan.
- Slightly move the bread in the pan, this is the easy way to get all the cheese melted on the outside of the bread. Grill the bread until it is golden brown and you have crispy bread on the outside. Turn the heat down to medium-low heat if it is browning to fast.
- Next, spread Dijon mustard in a thin layer on the side of each bread slice. Then top with sliced Brie and allow to melt.
- Remove the toasted bread slices from the large skillet to a plate. Stack on heirloom tomato, cornichons, pickled red onions, and pile the salad tossed in vinaigrette. Close, slice, and enjoy!
What Kind Of Bread Is Best?
The best bread is found in any grocery store. The main thing is to use a good quality of thicker sliced bread to hold all the ingredients.
- sliced French bread
- regular or multi grain sandwich bread
- garlic bread
- Challah bread
- sourdough bread
Types Of Cheese
You can use grated or slices. Avoid pre-shredded in bags as it has an anticaking agent that doesn't allow it to melt as well as hand-grated or slices.
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The best one to use will have flavor and melts well. There really are endless possibilities, and even a combination or mix of cheeses will be wonderful.
- Gruyere
- swiss
- slice of Havarti
- manchego cheese
- Boursin
- French compte
- blue cheese
- white cheddar
- Monterey jack
- American
- sharp cheddar
- pepper jack
- chevre goat cheese
Fancy Gourmet Grilled Cheese FAQ
Butter or Mayo For Grilled Cheese
Store bought mayonnaise is made from eggs and oil and holds a higher smoke point than butter. Many restaurants use mayo to grill sandwiches of all kinds, to get that crunchy golden exterior.
The pan or griddle can be at a higher temperature and gives the cheese more time to melt inside.
How To Eat A Grill Cheese?
For this hot sandwich with gooey cheeses, pair it with a small bowl of creamy tomato soup, some crackers, or potato chips. You can also serve with chicken noodle soup or a side salad for a great lunch.
Gourmet Grill Cheese Flavors
Almost any condiment like mustard, jam, or chutney will work on a grilled cheese. All the things you like in sandwiches will be great in your own cheese sandwich recipes you create at home. Use meats, vegetables, and things you have on hand.
Caramelized Onions, Cheddar, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella
Goat Cheese, Fig Jam, and Arugula
Olive Tapenade, Fire Roasted Peppers, and Compte
Turkey, Brie, and Cranberry Sauce
Grilled Vegetables and Mango Chutney
Sliced Apples, Ham, and Swiss
Kimchi, Crisp Bacon, and American Cheese
Shredded Chicken and Buffalo Hot Sauce
Pulled Pork, Coleslaw, BBQ Sauce, and Monterey Jack
Cooked Lobster, Crispy Bacon, and White Cheddar
More Sandwich Recipes
Italian Tuna Salad can be made as a sandwich wrap or in a low-carb style in a colorful bell pepper bowl, and has no mayo! It is a healthier and flavor-packed version of the classic.
You have gotta make this Lobster BLT Sandwich that has succulent lobster, crispy applewood smoked bacon, golden grilled sourdough bread, an easy dill-caper aioli, and won a 1rst Place Blue Ribbon at the OC Fair.
Cheesy Meatball Subs are loaded with gooey melted cheese and homemade marinara sauce. Use frozen or homemade ground beef, turkey, or pork meatballs.
Yummy Picnic Food is easy with Pressed Italian Sandwiches that are both neat to eat and hold. You can make these a day ahead, they keep very well overnight in the fridge.
Make an elegant beef roast for a special dinner, then serve thick deli-style Roast Beef Sandwiches the next day. These are out of this world heavenly, and all made at home.
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Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
grilled cheese sandwiches
- sourdough bread 2 slices
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan grated
- 4 slices brie
- 5 cornichons
- pickled red onions 3-4 slices
- heirloom tomato 2-3 thick slices
- 1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard
- 1 cup baby spring lettuce
- 2 tablespoons vinagigrette dressing
parmesan vinaigrette
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons regular Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
- ½ sea salt
- ½ small shallot peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
Pickled Red Onions
- 2 cups red onions thinly sliced ¼” strips
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and cut in half
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- 1 small chile
- 2 teaspoons peppercorns
- 2 cups white wine vinegar
Instructions
pickled onions
- Make pickled red onions if using them in your cheese sandwiches.
- Place sliced onions, peeled/halved garlic cloves, and chile in a 1 quart jar.
- Make the brine; in a small pan add sea salt, sugar, peppercorns, and vinegar.
- Bring the pickling liquid up to a rapid boil, pour boiling liquid over onions & garlic, chile, in a jar.
- Make sure the onions are under the liquid and cool to room temperature.
- Once the onions cool, close the lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks.
parmesan vinaigrette
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar with a fitted lid and shake.
- Toss 1 tablespoon of vinaigrette with the cup of lettuce. Set aside.
make the grilled cheese
- Set out your butter, its easier with soft butter. Heat a hot griddle or a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Spread a bit of butter on each slice of bread, sprinkle parmesan cheese on the pan, and lay the buttered bread side down on top of the cheese in the pan. Slightly move the bread in the pan, this is the easy way to get all the cheese melted on the outside of the bread.
- Grill the bread until it is golden brown and you have crispy bread on the outside. Turn the heat down to medium-low heat if the cheese is browning to fast.
- Next, spread Dijon mustard in a thin layer on the side of each bread slice. Then top with sliced Brie and allow to melt. Remove the toasted bread slices from the large skillet to a plate.
- Stack on heirloom tomato, cornichons, pickled red onions, and pile the salad tossed in vinaigrette, and close the grilled cheese. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Notes
What Kind Of Bread Is Best?
The best bread is found in any grocery store. The main thing is to use a good quality of thicker sliced bread to hold all the ingredients.- sliced French bread
- regular or multi grain sandwich bread
- garlic bread
- Challah bread
- sourdough bread
Types Of Cheese
You can use grated or sliced. Avoid pre-shredded in the bag as it has an anticaking agent that doesn't allow it to melt as well as hand-grated or slices. The best one to use will have flavor and melts well. There really are endless possibilities, and even a combination or mix of cheeses will be wonderful.- gruyere
- Swiss
- slice of Havarti
- manchego cheese
- Boursin
- French compte
- blue cheese
- white cheddar
- Monterey jack
- American
- sharp cheddar
- pepper jack
- chevre goat cheese
Fancy Grilled Cheese Flavors
Caramelized Onions, Cheddar, and Sun-Dried TomatoesTomato, Basil, and Mozzarella
Goat Cheese, Fig Jam, and Arugula
Olive Tapenade, Fire Roasted Peppers, and Compte
Turkey, Brie, and Cranberry Sauce
Grilled Vegetables and Mango Chutney
Sliced Apples, Ham, and Swiss
Kimchi, Crisp Bacon, and American Cheese
Shredded Chicken and Buffalo Hot Sauce
Pulled Pork, Coleslaw, BBQ Sauce, and Monterey Jack
Cooked Lobster, Crispy Bacon, and White Cheddar
This sandwich is incredible, so unusual and delicious. Pickled onions were so easy to make too.