Thursday, September 2, 2010

Gruyère Apple Grilled Cheese with Bacon: A Crunchy, Creamy and Indulgent Sandwich


It's "Crunchy vs. Creamy" this week at I Heart Cooking Clubs. I am a fan of both textures depending on my mood and when you just can't make up your mind, something like Mark Bittman's Gruyère Apple Grilled Cheese is perfect. It is a little weighted toward the crunchy side with the toasted sourdough bread, the apples and the crispy bacon (which I added based on Bittman's recommendation), but the melted cheese gives it that creamy factor too. It is indulgent comfort food and a quick and easy lunch or dinner.


Bittman says "Add a couple bacon slices for smokiness (and of course, meatiness!)."


Gruyère Apple Grilled Cheese with Bacon
"Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express"

Butter slices of good-quality sourdough bread. Layer Gruyère cheese and thinly sliced tart apples and top with another slice of the buttered bread. Cook the sandwiches in a few tablespoons of melted butter--you can use a press or an ordinary skillet with a bit of weight on top of the sandwich--turning once, until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden brown on both sides, about eight minutes total.

Notes/Results: Pretty darn perfect--an excellent combination of crisp, tart green apple, slightly earthy, nutty caved-aged Gruyère, sweet creamy butter, tangy, chewy sourdough bread and the smoky bacon. (I usually bake my nitrate-free bacon in the oven at 400 degrees F. for about 12-15 minutes and end with a couple minutes under the broiler to make it nice and crisp.) Not having a fancy schmancy panini pan, I used my grill pan and a heavy pot lid to weight it down and give it its lovely grill marks. ;-) This is not a low-fat sandwich but with good quality, pure ingredients it is so delicious that it is worthy of indulging in occasionally. I will make this sandwich again.


You can see how the other IHCC participants indulged in their crunchy and creamy sides by going to the IHCC site (here) and following the links. You can also check out the poll to vote in our new chef to start in October--I am going to hate to say good-bye to Mark Bittman. ;-( Of course I cooked his recipes before IHCC and I know I will continue to cook them long after and we have 4 great female chefs to choose from for our next round so it's all good.

Aloha,

20 comments:

  1. I made gouda and apple quesadillas when I had homemade gouda a couple of months ago. It's such a good combination, cheese & apple.

    I think I know what I am having for dinner tonight...

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  2. If I'm gonna indulge in grilled cheese, it has to be high quality and this fits the bill perfectly. Gruyere and apples are such a fantastic pairing.

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  3. This was a great pick, Deb! Crunchy, creamy, salty, sweet. The only problem is that I'm afraid I would get addicted and then crave more:)

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  4. Like your bipartisan entry! I love crunchy and creamy/gooey textures together...one of my favorite things.

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  5. So I'm looking at that great looking sandwich and it's only 11 AM here....but I soooo want it for my lunch..NOW!

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  6. Aloha ... This is one beautiful sandwich. The bacon is genius, the apple a perfect compliment. Love your stuff.

    I'm all about the sandwich. Have a splendid day.

    Keri

    www.samwich365.com

    p.s. you might consider entering this one into the sandwich contest on my blog.

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  7. Absolutely wonderful!
    We live near a couple of orchards too - I'll definitely make this when the new crops are in - maybe even go apple picking this year.

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  8. I am devouring this sandwich with my eyes. I love the pairing of nutty gruyere with crisp apples. I've saved this one. I hope you are having a great day.Blessings...Mary

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  9. That sandwich sounds like pure heaven!

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  10. I. Want. This. So. BAD! Seriously, this looks killer...I love everything in it. Awesome Pick!

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  11. I don't know why I didn't think to do this, I love cheese and apples plain as a snack, I'm so trying this sandwich

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  12. I love this sandwich with not only the creamy and crunchy textures but the sweet and savory flavors! Fancy comfort food!

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  13. What an amazing grilled cheese - I love the apple and bacon in it!

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  14. Wow, Deb, that looks sensational - I never would have thought of putting apple in a grilled sandwich, but that looks and sounds like an amazing combo.
    Sue

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  15. I love apple on my grilled cheese! This one with the Guyere and the the bacaon takes it over the top though. It sounds so great!

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  16. Deb, I wish had the ingredients to make this for breakfast right now...

    I bet the apple and gruyere taste amazing together and you can't go wrong with crispy bacon :)

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  17. Am going to make this for lunch tomorrow!

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  18. I am REALLY excited to try this one. o my, it sounds and looks amazing!

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  19. Hi Deb! Just to let you know, I am doing a Tackling Bittman recipe roundup this week at a moderate life featuring exotic and unique takes on his recipes. I am featuring this hot little number, so stop by and say Hi! Alex@amoderatelife

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