First Food Post!!

My dinner this evening is a recipe that I have shamelessly stolen from a recipe found on the Toronto Star website. It's basically a fancy grilled cheese that uses two of my favorite things in the culinary world, mushrooms and garlic. It also has apples, and apples and cheese is always good!

Grilled Cheese with Mushrooms & Green Apple

1 tbsp (15 mL) each: olive oil, butter

6 oz (170 g) cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced [Can throw in white mushrooms as well]

1 clove garlic, minced

Kosher salt + pepper to taste

4 slices sourdough bread (from the middle of loaf) [I use white bread since I can't go through an entire loaf of sour dough before it goes off]

8 tsp (40 mL) mayonnaise (preferably Hellman’s)

4 sprigs thyme [I have used dried thyme and just sprinkle it over the Mayo side of the bread when the sandwich is on the pan]

6 oz (170 g) old white cheddar, sliced

1/4 Granny Smith apple, cored, thinly sliced

In large fry pan, heat oil and butter over high heat. Add mushrooms. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in garlic. Cook until mushrooms are browned and tender, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Lay out bread. On one side of each slice, spread 2 tsp (10 mL) mayo and press with thyme sprig. Flip two slices over and arrange single layer of cheese on top. Top with cooked mushrooms then apple. Place another layer of cheese on top of apple. Top with bread slices, thyme facing out.

Heat large cast-iron skillet or fry pan over medium-high. Add sandwiches. Cook until bottoms are nicely browned. Turn heat down to medium; carefully flip sandwiches. Cook, pressing down with spatula, until other side is brown and cheese has melted. Remove and discard thyme. Cut in half and serve.

Makes 2 large servings.

I half the recipe and make a lunch or one serving of dinner. Throw some cherry tomatoes and some chips on the side = awesome dinner!

Original posting to The Star: http://www.thestar.com/living/food/recipes/article/800397--grilled-cheese-with-mushrooms-green-apple