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French Onion & Apple Grilled Cheese

French Onion & Apple Grilled Cheese
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The French Onion & Apple Grilled Cheese is a delightful sandwich that combines the sweet crunch of fresh apples with the rich, caramelized flavor of onions and gooey melted cheese, all on perfectly crispy bread. This savory and sweet comfort food upgrade is easy to make, versatile, and packed with layers of flavor, making it an exceptional choice for lunch, dinner, or a satisfying snack.

Ingredients

Bread & Cheese

  • French bread or sourdough, sliced (4 slices)
  • Sharp Gruyere or Swiss cheese, shredded or sliced (1 to 1½ cups)

Produce & Flavorings

  • Yellow or red onions, thinly sliced (2 medium)
  • Apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced with skin on or peeled (1 medium)
  • Fresh thyme or other herbs (optional, 1 teaspoon)

Other Ingredients

  • Butter (2 to 3 tablespoons, for cooking and spreading on bread)
  • Olive oil (optional, for caramelizing onions)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Thinly slice the onions and cook slowly over low heat in butter or olive oil, stirring often, until they turn golden brown and fragrant, about 20 to 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare the Apples: Core and thinly slice the apples, leaving the skin on for color and texture or peeling if preferred. Keep slices uniform for even sandwich layering.
  3. Assemble the Sandwich: Butter one side of each bread slice. On the non-buttered side, layer caramelized onions, apple slices, and shredded or sliced cheese generously. Sprinkle fresh thyme or herbs in between layers if using.
  4. Grill to Golden Perfection: Place the sandwich on a preheated skillet over medium-low heat, buttered side down. Press gently with a spatula and cook until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese melts, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  5. Serve Hot and Savor: Remove the grilled sandwich from the pan, let it cool for a minute to set, then slice and enjoy immediately while melty and delicious.

Notes

  • Onion Caramelizing Patience: Keep the heat low to ensure sweet, soft onions without burning.
  • Thin Apple Slices: Thin slices prevent the sandwich from becoming overly bulky and maintain balanced bites.
  • Low and Slow Grilling: Cooking slowly at medium-low heat crisps bread and fully melts the cheese.
  • Choose Meltable Cheese: Gruyere or Swiss melt best for a creamy texture; avoid hard cheeses that do not melt well.
  • Buttering Bread Evenly: Spread butter to the edges of the bread for a uniform golden crust without burnt spots.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled cheese, French onion, apple, caramelized onions, sandwich, comfort food, vegetarian, easy lunch

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/french-onion-apple-grilled-cheese/