Grilled Cheese with Bacon, Tomatoes and Basil
When it comes to comfort food, it’s hard to beat a beautifully toasted grilled cheese sandwich. To take ours to the next level, we add heirloom tomatoes and crisp bacon along with nutty Gruyère and basil pesto. Choose whatever variety of tomatoes looks best at your market, and be sure to salt the slices before assembling the sandwiches to draw out any excess moisture. The number of tomato slices you will need will depend on the size of your sourdough bread slices.
Ingredients:
- 2 to 4 slices heirloom tomatoes, each about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick (sliced crosswise)
- Kosher salt
- 4 slices sourdough bread, each about 1/2 inch (12 mm) thick
- 2 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup (2 fl. oz./60 ml) store-bought basil pesto
- 2 cups (8 oz./250 g) grated Gruyère cheese
- 4 bacon slices, cooked until crisp
- A handful of fresh basil leaves for serving
Directions:
Sprinkle the tomato slices on both sides with salt and place on a paper towel–lined plate. Let stand for 10 minutes to draw out the moisture. Using a paper towel, pat the slices dry. Set aside.
Preheat a large cast-iron fry pan over medium-high heat. Spread one side of each bread slice with the butter. Turn 2 of the slices over and spread with the pesto, then place, pesto side up, in the pan. Top with half of the cheese, dividing evenly. Arrange the bacon, tomato slices and remaining cheese on top. Cover each sandwich with one of the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
Cook the sandwiches until the undersides are nicely toasted and the cheese starts to melt, about 3 minutes. Carefully turn the sandwiches over and cook until toasted on the other side and the cheese is completely melted, about 3 minutes more. If the bread is browning too quickly and the cheese hasn’t fully melted, cover the pan with a lid during the last few minutes of cooking.
Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board, gently open them and arrange the basil on top. Close the sandwiches and cut them in half. Serve immediately. Serves 2.
Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen
Recommended Products:
-
$39.95
(73)
-
$249.95
(19)
-
$79.95
(11)
-
$24.95
-
$49.95
-
$24.95
-
$41.95
