You may think that grilled cheese doesn’t need improvement. You may think nothing tops the original. But that’s because you have yet to sink your teeth into The Southwestern Grilled Cheese. The bread is still crispy, the cheese is melty and sharp, but it also features a sweet and spicy sauce with red onions that are quick-pickled in lime juice and honey. Yes, The Southwestern Grilled Cheese brings both the flavor and the balance, making these sandwiches all the more satisfying! So, dig in while they’re hot!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 8 thick slices country bread
- 8 ounces extra-sharp white cheddar, coarsely grated
Directions
Step 1 –In a medium bowl, add the lime juice, the honey, 1 tablespoon of the oil, the salt, and the pepper and whisk to combine.
Step 2 –Add the cilantro and the red onions to the lime-honey mixture and let them sit, tossing occasionally until ready to use.
Step 3 –In a small bowl, add the adobo sauce and the brown sugar and whisk to combine.
Step 4 –Brush 1 side of each slice of the bread with the remaining olive oil.
Step 5 –With the oil-side facing out, use the slices of bread to make sandwiches using the adobo mixture, the pickled red onions, and the cheese, making sure the sandwiches are evenly filled with each.
Step 6 –Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.
Step 7 –In batches, add the sandwiches to the hot skillet and cover the skillet.
Step 8 –Cook the sandwiches, flipping once, until the bread is golden-brown and the cheese has melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Step 9 –Transfer the cooked sandwiches to a plate and cover them with foil to keep them warm.
Step 10 –Repeat the cooking process until all of the sandwiches are cooked.
Step 11 –Serve.
