Description
Golden-brown bread crackles under your teeth, giving way to gooey cheddar, tender pear and apple slivers and syrupy caramelized onions that melt into every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pear cored and thinly sliced
- 1 apple cored and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
- Add sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle brown sugar, salt, pepper, thyme, and drizzle balsamic vinegar over onions, then continue cooking until onions are deeply golden and caramelized, about 8 to 10 more minutes.
- Remove caramelized onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Layer two slices of bread with cheddar cheese, pear slices, apple slices, caramelized onions, and a final slice of cheddar, then top with remaining bread slices.
- Wipe the skillet clean, return to medium heat, and place assembled sandwiches in the pan.
- Cook sandwiches until the bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula.
- Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board, let rest for a minute, slice in half, and serve warm.
Notes
- For deeper flavor stir a splash of balsamic during caramelization
- Use firm ripe fruit to hold shape when grilling
- Swap cheddar for gruyere for a nuttier profile
- Serve hot for gooey cheese