Grilled Cheese with Apricot Jam and Arugula (and a GIVEAWAY!)
Remember a week or so ago when I begged, er, asked nicely to vote for my rainbow cake in the Butter recipe exchange? Well, if you hadn’t heard, I won. And I am pretty darn proud and thankful for all of you who rallied behind me. (Thank you!)
Anyways, the prize for the victory, a $150 Kerry Gold gift basket, arrived shortly after. While I knew I was getting some butter (and fantastically amazing butter at that), what I didn’t expect was the sheer quantity of cheese. Swiss and cheddar and gouda, oh my!
Now the grilled cheese probably makes more sense, huh?
But this isn’t just any grilled cheese, this grilled cheese has class. With a thin layer of homemade apricot jam and a few leaves of fresh arugula added at the very last minute, this sandwich is as delicious as it is simple. I mean, it is a grilled cheese, after all. And what a perfect way to highlight the superb ingredients I was given.
This particular sandwich makes use of Kerry Gold’s unusual Dubliner cheese, described as somewhat sweet, somewhat nutty (sound like someone else you know?). That slight sweetness, when combined with the fruit jam and spicy arugula, makes for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
Grilled Cheese with Apricot Jam and Arugula
Makes 2 sandwiches.
Ingredients:
4 slices country bread
4 oz. Kerry Gold® Cheddar or Dubliner cheese, sliced
2 tablespoons apricot (or other fruit) Jam
1 tablespoon Kerry Gold® salted butter
1/4 cup arugulaDirections:
Preheat a large skillet or sandwich press on medium-high heat.
To assemble sandwiches, spread a thin layer of jam on one side of bread. Top with a double layer of cheese slices and second piece of bread. Generously butter outsides of both pieces of bread.
Put sandwiches in skillet and toast until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan. Carefully (it will be hot!) peel apart bread and place arugula inside and replace top slice of bread. Cut in half and serve immediately.
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And even better? Kerry Gold USA has so kindly offered to share some of their incredible butter and cheese with one of you. That’s right, one lucky reader will win a month’s supply of Irish cheese and butter for their very own.
Mmm… butter…
This giveaway officially kicks of what I am calling “Giveaway Week” here on L&OO (I know, so creative!) I’ve got a lineup of fabulous gourmet giveaways just for you. So watch for those appearing throughout the week and enter for your chance to win.
***GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED****
Congratulations to Mary, whose comment (#388) was randomly selected as the winner! Hooray!
To Enter:
Simply leave a comment on this post with the answer to this question:
What ingredients are in your ultimate grilled cheese?
Entries open through 12/14/10 at 11:59 CST. I’ll be randomly selecting the winner the morning of Wednesday, December 15th. Prize will be shipped to the winner directly from Kerry Gold. Please note that due to the perishable nature of this prize, this contest is open to US residents ONLY.
Want Extra Entries?
Increase your odds of winning! In addition to the main entry comment, leave a separate comment for each bonus entry.
1. Follow @loveandoliveoil on twitter and tweet the following:
“I just entered to win a month’s supply of butter & cheese from @KerryGoldUSA and @loveandoliveoil! Enter here: http://bit.ly/i4HOq0″
2. “Like” Love & Olive Oil on Facebook (or if you are already a fan just say so!)
Be sure you enter a valid email address, because if your name is drawn and I can’t get a hold of you within 72 hours, I will choose an alternate winner. You may also want to add me to your address book (lindsay AT loveandoliveoil DOT com), as I’d hate for your congratulatory email to end up in the spam folder.
Spread some love butter this holiday season.
Don’t Miss a Meal!
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My ultimate grilled cheese would include sourdough bread, English Cotswold Cheese w/Chives, and sliced, homegrown tomatoes….yum!
Oh, and I’m also a fan on Facebook!
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My favorite grilled cheese is the one my grandmother used to make me. Nothing fancy, just oven roasted turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, and miracle whip. The sweet with the sharpness of the cheese makes me “melt” every time. Thanks for taking me back to my childhood.
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My ultimate grilled cheese sandwich is one made by my husband – probably because he uses more butter than I do on the bread, and always adds a sprinkle of garlic salt!
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Ultimate grilled cheese – on an everything bagel, with beefsteak tomatoes and cheddar cheese. To die for. My mom used to make it for me ;)
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I am pretty much a basic girl – I like cheddar and white bread on my grilled cheese.
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Ultimate grilled cheese…So many options for this!!!
But I really like a classic american cheese and tomato on white bread and properly grilled..complemented by good pickles and french fries – nothing else beats that….although andrea’s sandwich sounds delicious as well!!
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Back when we could have nuts (one of my kids has since been diagnosed with a nut allergy), I used a muesli bread from Whole Foods that made for absolutely divine grilled cheese. Thank you for the giveaway!
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I’m not picky, i just like lots and lots of cheese! The one you made sounds absolutely delicious though!
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I like good old-fashioned Kraft american singles with sliced tomato, and any kind of bread as long as it’s toasted to an even, dark golden brown!
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My ultimate grilled cheese would be on a beautiful sourdough with Tillamook sharp cheddar and beefsteak tomatoes from my garden. Oh man, my mouth just watered from writing that!
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I’m a fan on facebook! :)
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my husband LOVES it when i put some turkey or ham in his grilled cheese!
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ultimate grilled cheese: camembert with prosciutto and sunflower sprouts on artisan bread.
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So many cheeses to choose from…
My favorite:
Sliced Asiago & Muenster with some thin slices of Granny Smith apple. I might throw some bacon on there as well. =)
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The best grilled cheese I’ve ever had was from a kitschy little restaurant all the way up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was cheddar & American cheeses on cayenne-cheddar bread (SO. GOOD.) with a little bit of olive-garlic spread & strawberry-habanero dipping sauce on the side. Seriously, I die. I desperately wish I lived closed so I could eat it more regularly – I could try to recreate it for myself, but how the eff will I figure out how to make cayenne cheddar bread?!
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Annnd I’m a Facebook fan! (I made your blue cheese/apple/caramelized onion panini yesterday – & I think I’m on my mom’s good side for the next week, at least.)
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My ultimate grilled cheese is made with sharp cheddar and thin slices of grilled apple. Delicious!
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i followed on twitter and tweeted!
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i also liked on facebook!
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My favorite grilled cheese includes green chile. The type of cheese is negotiable, but a bowl of tomato soup is not!
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oh my, do i love irish butter. how awesome!
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lots of butter on the bread, I like soggy grilled cheese, not crisp.
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tweeted!
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My ultimate grilled cheese would definitely have bacon on it — and probably something sweet like date spread! Yummy!
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liked on facebook!
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Oh and I already “like” you on Facebook! Thanks for all of the great recipes!!
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You can’t beat toasted bread with gooey cheese. Plain and simple for me. But I’m going to take Lindsay’s suggestion of some garlic salt. And now I’m having grilled cheese for lunch. I even have some Kerrygold cheddar. Yum.
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My ultimate grilled cheese is definitely cabot habanero cheese and sliced heirloom tomatoes!
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My ultimate grilled cheese is on a good sourdough bread. Any kind of cheese. Lots of butter. It can be doctored up with other things or not. I know what I’m having for lunch!
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And, I liked you on FB.
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The ultimate grilled cheese: Turkish eski kasar cheese (kind of similar to cheddar), hot mustard, organic tomatoes, and arugula.
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I made a grilled cheese sandwich the other day with fresh sourdough bread, mozzarella, sharp cheddar, feta, parmesan and creamy caesar dressing. It was pretty much amazing.
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I ‘liked’ you on Facebook!
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This is actually a favorite grilled cheese variety of ours, but otherwise I’d say fig jam, prosciutto and chevre, a la Salumi in Seattle.
Cheers,
*Heather*
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Liked on FB, following on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway, too!
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I love a grilled cheese simple with a tomato and for more color, fresh basil. It is delicious!
xladyf54 @ gmail dot com.
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I love your version of the grilled cheese!!! My favorite would have to be with sharp white cheddar, chutney and turkey!
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My ultimate grilled cheese consists of dill havarti and aged cheddar. On the bread I always use real butter then dip it into a pan of fresh parmesan/garlic mix, so there is actually “grilled cheese” on the outside of the bread when you fry it in the skillet :)
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My ultimate grilled cheese would have gouda on it.
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My ultimate grilled cheese actually uses Kerry Gold’s Dubliner cheese – it’s divine!!
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Liked on facebook!
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And tweeted.
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your grilled cheese sounds so classy :)
(i cant enter bc im canadian but) my fave grilled cheese is stuffed with shredded mole chicken and montery jack cheese… such a satisfying sandwich :)
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I like my grilled cheese very simple, but I switch up the cheeses – to whatever we have in the house, usually. :)
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Ultimate grilled cheese-
Two slices of really good bread, a thin spread of roasted garlic on one, a bit of dijon mustard on the other. Cheddar cheese, thinly sliced tomatoes and red onions and provolone cheese. Butter on the outside, cooked in a cast iron pan.
Yum. I know what I’m having for lunch!
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oh boy do i LOVE kerry gold cheese. i hope i win this one! i like a combo of cheddar and gruyere with spicy mustard and buttered slices of bread. mmm.
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My ultimate grilled cheese is super-sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, and tomatoes – the latter put on after the grilling is complete. SO GOOD! I love grilled cheese. :)
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my ultimate grilled cheese need extra sharp cheddar and maybe a little tomato and basil :)
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My ultimate grilled cheese has tomato slices, grilled onions, basil, and a wonderful mixture of cheeses like mozzarella, feta, and provolone. Oh and on my favorite tomato basil bread. I’d love to try Kerry Gold cheese!
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congrats!! this version sounds awesome :) i’m always a sucker for a traditional, simple grilled cheese, but my latest creation (http://tri2cook.blogspot.com/2010/05/sweet-sassy-sandwich.html) was a tasty variation!
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I ‘liked’ you on Facebook!
Love Love grilled cheese! yum!!
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My ultimate grilled cheese sandwich (and I love them!) would be a traditional one of hearty bread, well buttered, and sharp Cheddar cheese. Yummy!!
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My ultimate grilled cheese, is made with aged old cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, onions, and celery (for crunch). I cook the sandwich in an olive oil that I purchased at Estia (a Greek resto in Halifax NS). The olive oil is made from imported cold pressed olive oil from Greece, and mixed with lemon, garlic, and herbs like oregano. The flavors in the oil are incredible, and the celery provides a lovely crunch.
super simple, but super yum!!!
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Sometimes the simplest things in life are just the best – like this grilled cheese sandwich. What perfect ingredients all put together. Yum!!
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http://shortpresents.blogspot.com/
follow me
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I made a fabulous grilled cheese last weekend with swiss, a fried egg, and grilled tomatoes!
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Contests on the win! My favorite grilled cheese is bacon, tomatoes and cheddar. :-)
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and i follow you on twitter and tweeted. http://twitter.com/#!/hleure/status/14018046062501888
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I like to have three cheeses (cheddar, swiss and provolone) with a slice of ripe tomato on thick white bread. Not healthy, but delicious!
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Tweet tweet! http://twitter.com/lesleyest/status/14019380169936896
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Oh and I already like you on facebook!
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I like my grilled cheese to be just cheese and bread, but I like to spice it up with different cheese. American, sharp cheddar and provolone with sourdough bread, yummy! I also change it up by buttering the outsides of my bread and then putting it in the…wait for it…waffle maker! It makes the cheese squish out and toasts it perfectly.
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This grilled cheese recipe sounds fantastic! (Now I know what I’ll be making for lunch this week, ha.) My ultimate grilled cheese includes sharp cheddar and tomatoes on sourdough. YUM!
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Gotta go with a classic: foccacia bread, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes with just a bit of basil!
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I’d have to say a nice melty cheese like munster on sourdough with just enough butter where your bread has the right crunch but not too greasy. Maybe a bit of prosciutto if I really feel like spoiling myself.
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Mmmmm, mine is Extra Sharp White Cheddar, Maple Bacon, Arugula, Honeycrisp Apples and Grainy Brown Mustard. Yummm
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Congrats on your winnings and thanks for offering such an amazing giveaway Lindsay!!! My favorite grilled cheese sandwich is cheddar with apples and sprouts!
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I already like you on facebook!
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I already follow you on twitter, of course, and I just tweeted about the giveaway!
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I love provolone or any milder cheese on my grilled cheese dress it up with tomato, green olives, ketchup.
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The one I made back in the summer that is very similar to yours- but with pear butter. Yum!
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Just tweeted!
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My ideal grilled cheese involves blue cheese (especially Stilton) and apples or pears.
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Mine is peppercorn gouda and apricot jam on rosemary garlic sourdough bread. The cheese and bread are from my local farmer’s market. The bread has whole cloves of garlic which get slight roasted and sweet in the pan. The cheese has cracked peppercorns, which give it a bit of bite. I toast it all to yummy golden goodness. I have also made it with sun-dried tomato pesto instead of apricot jam. Also wonderful.
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And I liked you on facebook
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oh, and of course I already like you on facebook!
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my favorite grilled cheese is gouda, a slice of tomato, + a bit of balsamic on a hearty italian bread. accompanied by tomato soup, of course. =)
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My ultimate grilled cheese would include brie and fig jam yum! Also good with the addition of turkey
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My favorite grilled cheese would be garlic bread toasted with havarti, cheddar, and muenster cheese with bacon, onions, peppers, and tomatoes.
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oh wow that looks absolutely fantastic. i wish i had all those awesome ingredients!! congratulations to you, i’ve just started following and am lovin’ your blog + delicious recipes!!
xo
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Love this giveaway!!! I’m making some grilled cheese tonight with Panera’s tomato basil bread, should be a nice variation to the regular old white bread. I’m tweeting and becoming a fan on facebook too!
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I have only made plain and boring grilled cheese sandwiches in the past, but I’m inspired now, reading everyone’s creations.
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tweeted! @amy_donovan
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Like you on Facebook (SusanBenegas)
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
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I’m a fan of cheddar with a few slices of tomato and a handful of spinach.
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Bacon and collard greens. Ummm….. best grilled cheese ever. Yours looks pretty good too though!
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Just “liked” you on FB!
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Ultimate grilled cheese- Whole Foods french loaf bread, a couple of different kinds of cheese- havarti, brie, gruyere- whatever I have around the house, bacon and arugula! And apples. Yum!
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I am now a fan on Facebook!
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Tweet: http://twitter.com/always040/status/14038732181086208
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For some reason it didnt post – I love a grilled gruyere on crusty bread with some of Food in Jars Tomato Jam (http://www.foodinjars.com/2010/09/tomato-jam/) – its crazy delicious!
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Best grilled cheese: rye bread, dill harvati cheese, sun dried tomatoes. So good.
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delicious sourdough bread, havarti cheese, fresh tomatoes, a little butter and mayo, and sometimes thinly sliced ham. oh man- dinner tonight.
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Mine would have just about anything on it. Especially ham.
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I’m on my way to the kitchen, RIGHT NOW, to try this whole ‘grilled cheese with mustard’ thing. With Tomato. HOW have I not thought of that before?? I eat mustard on everything and grilled cheese sandwiches at least a couple times a week. Shameful really…..
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While most variations on grilled cheeses are delicious… I prefer the plain and simple bread and cheese (gruyere is a favorite).
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good crusty french baguette with carmelized onions, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, some sliced muenster, and tomato slices. mmmm.
I think I need to go make some lunch now.
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I totally tweeted.
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brie & apples!
best grilled cheese ever.
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My ultimate grilled cheese would have to have to be on a Winnipeg Rye Bread (we just make it so well), with brie, a layer of thinly sliced mushrooms, and arugula. Probably the brie between the other layers of add ins, so that it wouldn’t fall apart into a gooey mess upon consumption. (Although, a gooey mess is kind of part and parcel of a grilled cheese sandwich.)
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