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 arugula
Directions:
- 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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Spread some love butter this holiday season.
I love all grilled cheese- but the old velveeta really makes me nostalgic! :)
My ultimate grilled cheese:
1) Whole Grain bread
2) Mayo to spread on the outside
3) Jarlsberg Cheese, possible addition of Extra Sharp Cheddar
4) Tomato!
5) Bacon (Optional)
my ultimate grilled cheese has sharp cheddar, ripe tomato (summer tomato!) and sometimes bacon….I love grilled cheese.
Tweeted! And became a fan on Facebook!
My ultimate grilled cheese is on great sourdough bread from the Phoenix Farmers Market, with Gruyere cheese and tomatoes from my mom’s garden. Oh, and if I’m feeling sassy, some grilled green chilies. Yumm!!
My ultimate grilled cheese would have goat cheese, fig spread, and a little prosciutto! delicious.
I’m also a fan on facebook!
Sourdough bread, cheddar, ham, and black olives….yummmM!
I also “liked” loveandoliveoil on facebook!
One of the best grilled cheeses that I’ve ever had (and the one I’m really really craving right now) is the Asian Pear And Gouda grilled cheese at Syrup Desserts, made with ripe asian pears and fresh gouda cheese, on walnut raisin bread. It was served with a side of fresh fruit, and sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar…as a matter of fact, I think I’m going to stop by there for lunch today.
Yay free yummy cheese and butter!
French Muenster Cheese – the gooey stuff, between two slices of French bread and unsalted butter.
I almost started drooling when I read about this grilled cheese. Plus, it looks amazing. I’d probably eat it off the screen if I could.
My favorite grilled cheese is pretty simple: good ol’ American cheese with some diced New Mexico green chile. It’s my go to lunch during snowboarding season.
Love and Olive Oil FB Fan Kitty Mayne
Fresh tomato straight from the garden with possibly a bit of fresh basil.
Honey mustard. YUM
my ultimate grilled cheese is a delux grilled pimento cheese (with bacon and tomato) – the more kick the better!
My ultimate grilled cheese is with Dudley’s Potato Bread (local bakery in Julian, CA) & with medium cheddar cheese – cooked low & slow so it melts all the cheese & the bread just gets lightly browned. i have to say that the addition of apricot jam sounds delicious – I think i’ll have to try your version to increase the “classiness” of my sandwich!
Ultimate grilled cheese: crusty white bread, Gruyere cheese and fresh thyme. I make it when I make French Onion Soup and want a sandwich instead of croutons. :)
(PS. Following on Twitter and Facebook.)
Absolutely awesome flavor profile! Luv the arugula with the cheese and tangy jam! I can practically taste it! KerryGold products are so delicious – first heard about them after my daughter spent a summer in Ireland… It truly is the land of cream and butter!!!
That looks amazing! My ultimate grilled cheese is pretty simple-cheddar cheese, lettuce, and mayo on good crusty bread. Just like mom used to make :)
I ‘like’ you on Facebook!
Following on Twitter
I like it simple….a little butter, some rustic bread…and lots of cheese, different varieties.
Love Kerry Gold- my husband is from Ireland so it is a real treat when we buy this for the house!
I just became a fan on Facebook!
Roasted chiles!
Kerry Gold butter is so great, you can eat it without bread! There is a huge long thread at forum.lowcarber.org called Butter Snackers. Some people put butter on their cheese for a snack! I would so try that if I got Kerry Gold butter and cheese!
I also tweeted. I’m a cheese fiend (obviously):
http://twitter.com/#!/girlieerin/status/14335739609219073
I absolutely follow you on Facebook.
My ultimate grilled cheese has super sharp cheddar and fresh from the garden sliced tomatoes. These items are sandwiched between soft white bread. Mmm….
Ooh, my favortite grilled cheese is one I used to have in France as a littel girl. So simple – just gruyere and tomatoes with a bit of butter (if I’m feeling adventurous I’ll add mustard). Thanks for the giveaway! Love your blog!
My ultimate grilled cheese is an goat milk gouda on lovely grainey bread with a delicious tomato.
Another fan on facebook!
My fav grilled cheese is made up of: sourdough bread, sharp cheddar, heirloom tomato, and maille mustard. Generously buttered, of course. I eat it with tomato soup and a pickle. The perfect rainy day meal!
I love Grilled Cheese on a hearty wheat bread (homemade from my dad) with sharp cheddar, and some Munster of I’m feeling feisty, and some fresh tomato added after. YUM!
I’m already a Fan on Facebook!!! :-)
My favorite grilled cheese is cheddar and thinly sliced apple on sourdough – with a side of tomato soup :)
I just tweeted about the contest – @christyfike. And I’m on a “break” from Facebook (hey everyone needs one every once in a while) – but when FB and I make up – then I will definitely “Like” you! I use KerryGold butter exclusively – love it! Get it at Trader Joe’s all the time. I’m a redheaded irish gal, so it’s required.
Ultimate Grilled Cheese – Benton’s Bacon, brie & buttermilk cheddar and apple chutney on either multi-grain or sourdough bread! Yummmmmmmmo!
I love brie and granny smith apples on grilled cheese. Ooh, or slices of homegrown tomato with mozzarella. Ooh and bacon. Ooh or…! Yeah, I can’t commit to just one.
My ultimate grilled cheese would be with whole wheat bread, melted butter on each side, 4 slices of cheese, a slice of tomato and caramelized onions. YUM!
My favorite grilled cheese absolutely has to be on sourdough bread with melted butter in the pan. Lay down one slice of bread and swish it around the pan to get butter all over the bread. 3 – 4 slices of white cheddar cheese, add the top of the bread. Cover and brown. When brown, take it out of the pan, add more butter, melt and put the grilled cheese back in and brown the other side. It’s warm, gooey, brown, crusty and delicious!!!! Our family favorite!!!
I love grilled cheese with carmelized onions and sourdough bread. Yum, so good!
My ultimate grilled cheese is made with artisan bread, a slice of white cheddar and a slice of gouda. Makes a great combination!
I tweeted!
I’m a fan on Facebook!
My ultimate would have to include havarti and cranberry! But yours looks pretty fabulous!
My ultimate grilled cheese is sourdough bread, cheddar, and butter
The ultimate includes garden fresh tomatoes, bacon and extra cheese!
Well, I love grilled cheese so much, that I have two, and I’m not choosing a favorite, so here they both are!
1. 12 grain, cranberry walnut bread from the local bakery with melted brie, dipped in dijon.
2. whole wheat with Huntsman from 9th street in Philadelphia & fresh garden tomatoes.
Of course, grocery store cheeses & breads may sufice in dire circumstances… perhaps you’re a college student on a budget like me!?
I love a simple grilled cheese made with homemade whole wheat bread paired with sharp cheddar and spicy mustard . I generally pair it with a side of mustard pickles! I love this topic, I will be trying some of the above!
I haven’t had grilled cheese in so long.. but oh man does this combo you put together sound amazing! My ultimate grilled cheese would have to include sharp cheddar, fresh basil and some habanero pepperjack cheese!