A luxurious twist on a staple comfort food
Brie is one of my favourite cheeses – it’s delicate, rich, and melts incredibly well. Part of what makes brie so versatile is the subtle and creamy flavours it presents, allowing the French cheese to be easily paired with a variety of sweet and tart combinations. For this recipe, I will be using brie to create a luxurious twist on one of the most comforting and famously wholesome foods – the grilled cheese sandwich. Trust me, this variation of the untouchable classic is un-brie-lievably tasty.
Here’s what you’ll need:
-A few slices of double crème brie
-One pear
-A handful of walnuts
-One tablespoon of hot red pepper jelly
-Two slices of multi-grain bread
-One teaspoon of honey (optional)
First, prepare all of your ingredients in a clean and sanitized work station. Slice the brie into thin pieces and slice the pear into even thinner pieces. Crush the walnuts into crumb-like bits and toast them on low heat – be careful, they burn fast! Adding pear slices (or even a granny smith apple) to this sandwich allows for a delicate blend of flavours between the tartness of the fruit, and the creaminess of the cheese. Next, spread the hot red pepper jelly onto the bread – you’ll be surprised at how beautifully this ingredient will be for the overall integrity of the sandwich. Place the brie, pear slices, and the bottom piece of bread onto a medium-low heated pan. By now your walnuts should be nice and toasty – gently crumble them on top of the sandwich. Finally, if you want to make the sandwich more on the savoury side, drizzle some honey to your liking. The toasted walnuts are crucial—they bring a different texture to the dish, as well as a subtle, earthy flavour to the sweet, gently spicy, and rich flavours already present. Grill until both sides of the bread are golden brown.