For my last day as Host of Living Well, our dear Executive Chef, Mark Shoopman, asked me what I wanted him to prepare. That was a very tough question to answer because everything he makes is absolutely delicious. What do you pick when every recipe is your favorite? Well, I decided to go the comfort food route, and one of my favorite comfort foods is grilled cheese sandwiches. Of course, Chef Mark’s grilled cheese takes it to a whole other level. Here is the recipe:
The Great American Grilled Cheese Makeover
The traditional American favorite “Grilled Cheese Sandwich” gets a make-over! Try them out with the family!
By Certified Executive Chef Mark Shoopman, CEC
Recipe makes 8 sandwiches
Ingredients
16 slices Sourdough bread, (or use your favorite bread)
¾ pound Butter, softened
¼ cup Minced garlic
½ teaspoon Salt and pepper
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 ½ cups Panko breadcrumbs
1 ½ cups Asiago cheese, grated
¾ cup Mayonnaise
24 slices Sharp Cheddar cheese
16 slices Swiss cheese
16 slices Havarti cheese
16 slices Mild Cheddar cheese
As needed Waxed paper
Procedure;
1.Mix the Asiago cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl with the salt and pepper
and spread the mixture evenly onto the wax paper.
2. In two small bowls, whisk together the butter and garlic in one and the mayonnaise and mustard in the other. Set aside.
3.Spread one tablespoon of the butter on one side of each bread slice. Press the buttered sides of the bread into the breadcrumb and cheese mixture. Spread the unbuttered sides of the bread with one tablespoon with the mayonnaise mixture.
4.To assemble the sandwiches, place one slice of bread on a work surface, crumb–sided down. Layer with one slice sharp Cheddar, one slice Swiss, one slice mild Cheddar, one slice Havarti and one more slice sharp Cheddar. Top with another slice of bread, crumb sided up. Repeat the process to make the remaining sandwiches.
5. Pre-heat the oven to 400F. Heat a large skillet over medium–high heat and lightly coat with melted butter. Cook each sandwich in the skillet for approximately two
minutes on each side or until golden in color. Transfer to a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven for 3 –5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bread is golden brown. Serve with your favorite soup!
