I love nothing more than a good grilled cheese (it’s one of our lunchtime staples), but I oftentimes wish it was more substantial than just a pile of toasted bread and cheese. That’s why adding greens is such a brilliant idea. I mean, it’s really the same general principle as our Brussels Sprout Mac ‘n Cheese: using buttery, melty cheese to enhance an otherwise bitter-tasting green vegetable. Great minds…
This recipe comes from Bountiful: Recipes Inspired by Our Garden by our friends Todd and Diane of WhiteOnRiceCouple.com. From the second I held the book in my hands I was in love, because it truly reflects the way we eat: focus on the fresh fruits and vegetables, with meat (IF there is any) as just an accent.
The book does such a great job at presenting vegetables in new and unique ways that it just might convert even the most ardent veggie-haters. Our neighbor, who is always quick to gobble up our desserts but typically gives our dinner choices the side-eye, flipped through this book, exclaiming, “I’d eat that!” on just about every recipe. Granted, it still might take a bit of convincing to get him to eat this sandwich (broccoli is, perhaps, his arch-nemesis), but recipes like Creamed Haricots Verts with Toasted Almonds and Seared Ginger Carrots with Thyme and Shallots would be a good start.
Baby steps, right?
Rather than broccoli as called for in the original recipe, we used broccolini (often called baby broccoli, it’s a hybrid between regular and Chinese broccoli). The stalks and florets are more tender and, while we only used the florets here, don’t waste the stalks: slice them up and roast them too.
I’d been looking for the perfect excuse to use this special cheese: Buttermilk cheddar from local Sweet Valley Farm. It’s the secret ingredient in the Buttermilk Cheddar Mac and Cheese at Silo that I so totally failed to recreate. Turns out adding buttermilk to mac and cheese is a quick way to make a horribly chunky mess.
But the buttermilk cheddar, on the other hand, is delightful in every sense of the word. It’s a mild white cheddar with a perfect melting consistency for the ultimate grilled cheese.
Pictures do not do this book justice. It’s a cookbook and coffee table book in one, as large and substantial in size as it is in content. If I had had a stack of post-its handy when I flipped through it the first time, it’d look like a forest of pale yellow sticking out of the pages. We’ve already made two recipes from the book, including a baked potato topped with goat cheese creamed swiss chard (WHAT?) and have plans to, more or less, cook our way through the entire thing.
But seriously, you want to own a copy of this book. Be sure to click through for the recipe and a chance to win just that!
Roasted Broccolini Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
- Florets from 1 bunch broccolini or broccoli (about 1/2 pound), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Unsalted butter, softened
- 6 to 8 slices bread
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded or thinly sliced
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- On a sheet pan, toss broccolini with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 6 to 8 minutes (slightly longer if using regular broccoli), or until tender and vibrant green. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Assemble sandwiches by layering cheese, roasted broccolini, and more cheese on slices of bread. Using two layers of cheese with the broccolini in the middle will keep the small pieces in place as the cheese melts. Top each sandwich with another slice of bread, then generously butter top of sandwich.
- Arrange sandwiches in skillet, buttered side down. Generously spread remaining butter on other side of sandwiches now on top. Toast sandwiches, flipping once, until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Recipe from Bountiful: Recipes Inspired by Our Garden by WhiteOnRiceCouple.com.
All images and text © Lindsay Landis / Love & Olive OilDid you make this recipe?
Let us know what you think!
Leave a Comment below or share a photo and tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #loveandoliveoil.
I am excited to be able to give away one copy of this gorgeous book to one lucky L&OO reader! I think I’ve made clear that this book is a keeper, with recipes, both sweet and savory, that feature garden-fresh fruits and vegetables in unique ways. Todd & Diane are also touring the country (nay, world!) promoting their baby, see here for a full listing of dates and locations.
Giveaway is Now Closed.
Thanks everyone for entering!
The fine print: No purchase necessary. Giveaway open to US residents only. Void where prohibited. Winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise an alternate winner will be chosen. Bonus entry requirements will be verified if selected as the winner, otherwise an alternate winner will be chosen. I received a copy of this book from Abrams, however, as always, all opinions written are purely my own.
It’s not very unusual, but I love thin slices of turkey with muenster or colby jack cheese, preferably on hearty bread like oatmeal bread, buttered and “grilled” in a frying pan.
My favorite grilled cheese has sharp cheddar, trader joes Dijon mustard and a slice of a super tasty heirloom tomato. So so so good!
Definitely chorizo, red peppers, pesto & white cheddar. It was an accidental discovery that turned into lifelong love.
I love melted Dubliner cheese by Kerrygold – so that’d be my choice!
There’s nothing like bringing the goodness of a BLT to grilled cheese form! Classic yumminess
My favorite is brie and apple grilled cheese!
I love grilled gruyere and pear with a sprinkling of gogonzola.
Grilled cheese always taste kind of flat without some garlic. I want to make some with sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts.
I just made this delicious recipe of yours (with a different sharp cheddar cheese) and it was a hit with the family! I did add garlic powder (see first sentence). :-)
I’ve only ever eaten plain grilled cheese sandwiches, but this post has really sparked my interest. I’m going to try adding some spinach and in the summer I’m going to try adding basil – two of my favorite foods. Thanks much.
My favorite is fig, prosciutto and brie. Yummy!
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My favorite combo is brie with a thin layer of raspberry or fig jam. Getting hungry just thinking about it!
spinach and artichoke grilled cheese, or a classic grilled cheese with lots of bacon!!
My favorite is a caprese grilled cheese with basil and tomatoes
My favorite is grilled cheese with a nice slice of fresh tomato, but I’ve gotten some ideas from these comments that I’ll have to try!
There’s a restaurant near us that makes a Baked Potato Grilled Cheese–it’s loaded with mashed potatoes, broccoli, bacon, and of course, CHEESE! It’s a carbo-load so I only get it on rare occasions, but every time I’m amazed how good it is!
Grilled cheese and bacon.
I make a mean grilled cheese with caramelized onions, sharp cheddar and swiss chard. It’s changed the way I look at grilled cheese, for sure! :)
My favorite is a classic, but with the best ingredients: heirloom tomatoes, baby spinach and Gruyere cheese.
Following L&OO and White on Rice on Pinterest. Pinterest name: pinterest.com/greyhouse.
As far as #2, I don’t tweet. Sorry.
I’m already subscribed to L&OO.
My favorite grilled cheese sammy is butter coated sourdough bread. The middle is brie surrounding sauteed shitakes or cepes and caramelized onions, You have not lived till you try this. Of course you’ll be able to hear the arteries to your heart slamming shut. But hey, we’re all going to go sometime. Why not go happy? (Note: just kidding, I only indulge about once a quarter) ;)
Following you both on Pinterest and Twitter.
Tweeted!
https://mobile.twitter.com/dkkporter/status/397125115155980288
I already subscribe to your emails. Thanks for the inspiration in the kitchen!
I love the combo you just posted, but also really enjoy a classic grilled ham and cheese on sourdough.
My favorite is definitely a grilled cheese with mozzarella, tomato and basil, so yummy:)
Maybe not unique but I love grilled cheese with bacon! So delicious :)
I once made a brie cheese, fig jam, walnut, and pear grilled cheese and I still think about it!
It looks so damn good, I want to eat it right away :o How comes that your simple food looks so stunning all the time and so much better than when I make it with my best efforts :P
Take care :)
I follow on Pinterest. My Pinterest name is Kristin Price/KristinPotPie.
I follow on Twitter and tweeted!
I already subscribe to Love & Olive Oil.
My favorite grilled cheese is made with a very simple addition of sliced tomato and mayo. It’s how my mom would make us grilled cheese when we were sick as kids.
My favorite grilled cheese is ham, pineapple and white cheddar. Oh yes.
I’m following on Pinterest and my Pinterest name is Courtney Elizabeth (c_elizabeth0)
I’m following on twitter and tweeted from @ceperk!
The only method to make my grilled cheese perfection is to buy REAL, big, white bread. Lots of butter, perfect browning, and real cheddar cheese. I usually find a way to throw in some tomato soup with it as well. I think I just figured out what I want for lunch today! ;)
There is a restaurant here that makes a 3 cheese with chipotle chili sauce on thick sour dough. So fabulous for lunch!
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I love my grilled cheese with pesto, mozzarela, and tomatoes.
mmmm I made a grilled cheese today! I like gruyere and cheddar with dijon-mayo, soy bacon, and fresh tomato.
I love grilled cheese with pancetta and a slash of sweet mango chutney.
I followed @loveandoliveoil and @WhiteOnRice on twitter and tweeted as vadebby1
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I love grilled cheese on sourdough with thinly sliced pears sandwiched between brie cheese a slight sprinkling of gorgonzola, and a slight drizzle of honey. mmmmm
I’m following ollow both Love & Olive Oil and White on Rice Couple on Pinterest.
I’m Dubbage42
I followed both @loveandoliveoil and @whiteonrice on Twitter… and tweeted the message. I’m @dubbage42
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I followed both on Pinterest (pinterest.com/polishedgirl).
I followed both on Twitter and here’s my tweet: https://twitter.com/ThatTuxedoCat/status/396805497954656256
I love to put fresh sliced tomatoes in my grilled cheese… or a favorite relish. Or chutney.
I usually use 2 different cheeses too… sliced provolone and shredded sharp cheddar. MMmmm…
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I love a grilled cheese sandwich made of caramelized onions and gruyere.
Grilled cheese with mango!
i follow you on pinterest!
grilled cheese with brie and chocolate!
I follow both on pinterest. Gina Guthrie
I love mozzarella, sun dried tomato and basil Panini.
I recently tried and became obsessed with this grilled cheese from cup of jo!
http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/search?q=grilled+cheese
I am certainly not picky when it comes to grilled cheese…it’s all my favorite! And while it’s really not unique, grilled pimento cheese is probably my all-time favorite.
This looks fantastic! I love a grilled cheese with shredded beef short ribs, caramelized onion jam and cheddar. YUM!
My favorite grilled cheese is made with wild yeast sourdough from our favorite local bakery in Birmingham with sharp white cheddar, stone ground mustard, arugula, and thinly sliced apples! After it’s cooked I dash some aged balsamic vinegar on top and it’s amazing!
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swiss cheese on a really good chewy dark rye
My favorite grilled cheese is any white cheese and tomato, but when I’m feeling nostalgic, I grab the pickles! Sweet,bread and butter, anything but dill :-)
I know it’s not exactly grilled cheese, but lately my boyfriend and I have been really into patty melts. So yum. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I am already subscribed!
Roasted jalepenos and pepperjack cheese!
I really like grilled cheese with peanut butter and jelly. It is the best!
The best is mozzarella with lots of basil pesto and roasted portabellas with balsamic.
I’m following you both on Pinterest now! (http://www.pinterest.com/territ/)
Not unusual at all, but I love sharp cheddar with a slice of tomato – Yum!
Following both on Pinterest – username ydobon.
My favorite grilled cheese would have to be brie with prosciutto, arugula and fig preserves. Uh-mazing.
I’m following both accounts now on Pinterest. Username: sulomaize
I’m subscribed! I love the emails, by the way.
My favorite add-in would have to be fig butter! It adds the perfect amount of sweetness and tart.
Might sound gross but adding kimchi (spicy korean cabbage) to a regular cheddar grilled cheese is yummy!
Grilled cheese with homemade truffle pesto and sundried tomatoes!
My favorite grilled cheese has Gruyere, cheddar, sliced onion on whole grain bread
I followed you both on Pinterest as well.
I’m always a fan of pesto grilled cheese, but I haven’t branched out a lot yet. I’m now inspired at all of the different ways I could do grilled cheese. That looks amazing!
I follow you BOTH on Twitter as @MsCarolsueA
I follow you BOTH on Pinterest as cezovski9
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Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
My favorite is Bacon & Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
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I follow both Love & Olive Oil and White on Rice Couple on Pinterest where I am Margot Core.
I follow @LoveAndOliveOil and @WhiteonRice on Twitter where I am @AnnaZed; and I posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/396524885075169280
I subscribe via email to this box: annazed10 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I make a grilled cheese sandwich on Pumpernickel Bread with Gouda, some crispy Pancetta bits, some pan cooked Morels and some Arugula. It’s pretty amazing.
I follow Love & Olive Oil and White on Rice on Pinterest.
I subscribe to Love and Olive Oil.
I like pimento cheese grilled on sourdough bread.
I follow on pinterest as Joan Osborne
I follow both and tweeted here’s the link:
https://twitter.com/southerncooker/status/396510707195203584
Mostly what ever cheese I have on hand makes a great grilled cheese.
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