This amazing grilled cheese sandwich melds the flavors of cheese fondue with ham and tomato. The cheese spread is made with wine and garlic.
Perhaps it is because we didn’t have many desserts in our cupboards, but I have been a “savory” girl ever since I was young. After-school snacks ranged from leftover pasta to vegetables with hummus. My favorite, however, was a simple plateful of cheese and crackers. The type of cheese varied, but one of my favorites throughout childhood and now into adulthood is Jalsberg. At least a couple of times per month, my mum brought home a wedge of the semi-firm Norwegian cheese. The nutty flavor paired well with sesame crackers and raw vegetables.
When I came across a big block of Jarlsberg cheese at the grocery store last week, it felt like kismet.
My mind was reeling with all the possibilities. Crusty bread or ciabatta rolls? Pesto or mango chutney? Turkey or ham? Packed with veggies or naked? I was in grilled cheese heaven, but waffled between all of the choices until I was struck with inspiration from a rather well-known Frenchman.
Jacques Pepin’s repertoire boasts hundreds of beautiful and elaborate recipes, but the famous chef remembers this simple mixture fondly. Growing up, his parents would use leftover pieces of cheese to make a creamy spread for crostini. We served these crostini at a cheese party last year and they were the hit of the hors d’oeuvres table. When the cheese is blended with wine and garlic, and broiled on a piece of crusty bread, it can be best described as hand-held cheese fondue.
The assertive taste of the Jarlsberg mixture provides a base for salty ham, juicy tomato and peppery arugula. Stacked on crusty bread and grilled to golden brown, this lunch or dinner option takes the average grilled cheese sandwich to new heights.
For other grilled cheese sandwiches, try Turkey, Brie and Pear Panini or Gruyere, Apple and Fig Panini.
How to make grilled cheese fondue sandwich
MAKE THE CHEESE FONDUE SPREAD:
Combine Jarlsberg cheese, wine, garlic, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth.
MAKE THE SANDWICHES:
Brush one side of each piece of bread with olive oil (the oil-brushed side will be on the outside of the sandwich). Spread 1 tablespoon of the Jarlsberg mixture on each slice of bread (2 tablespoons per sandwich). Divide ham, tomato slices, and arugula leaves evenly over 4 slices of bread. Close each sandwich with a remaining slice of bread.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
Place sandwiches in skillet (cook in two batches, if necessary) and cook until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown. Serve.
Printable Recipe
Grilled Cheese Fondue Sandwich
Ingredients
Cheese fondue spread
- ½ pound Jarlsberg cheese cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons dry white wine See Note
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Several grind of black pepper
The sandwiches
- 8 slices crusty bread
- â…“ cup olive oil
- ½ pounnd black forest ham cut into ¼-inch slices
- 2 medium tomatoes sliced
- 1 cup (packed) arugula leaves
Instructions
Cheese fondue spread
- Combine Jarlsberg cheese, wine, garlic, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth.
The sandwiches
- Brush one side of each piece of bread with olive oil (the oil-brushed side will be on the outside of the sandwich).
- Spread 1 tablespoon of the Jarlsberg mixture on each slice of bread (2 tablespoons per sandwich).
- Divide ham, tomato slices, and arugula leaves evenly over 4 slices of bread. Close each sandwich with a remaining slice of bread.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Place sandwiches in skillet (cook in two batches, if necessary) and cook until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Ayesha Jameel
That sandwich looks like heaven !
i'm your new follower ... please visit n follow my blog if you wish to @ http://kitchensojourn.blogspot.com
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks for stopping by, Ayesha.
Parsley Sage
Rawr! That's a hot looking grilled cheese. Want!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
LOL. Thank you.
Lindsay @eat,knit,grow
Yum! That looks absolutely amazing, I need to devour that now!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Lindsay.
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen
Dara I'm droooling! There is nothing like grilled cheese sandwich is there? I love mine with mango chutney.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Kulsum. I often use mango chutney with my grilled cheese, too. It's a great flavor combination.
Matt
You have no idea how much I want that sandwich. I LOVE cheese.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Matt. It doesn't take long to make.
Vicki @ WITK
I love grilled cheese! I actually made one last night for dinner 🙂 This combination looks and sounds delicious!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Vicki.
Sukaina
This looks delicious Dara. Cheese sandwiches are my favorite snacks as well as meals sometimes. I have mine slightly differently with a dash of tabasco, some ketchup or green mint and corinader chutney....and grilled! My mouth is watering!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Coriander chutney would be out-of-this-world on a grilled cheese sandwich. Thanks for the idea, Sukaina.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
I still can't get over the ham and cheddar panini with hot pepper jelly. I've made it SEVERAL times and as each week rolls around, I think I need to have another one. This sandwich may take the top stop for the next couple of weeks. It looks and sounds wonderful. Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Tricia, I'm so glad you enjoyed the panini with the pepper jelly. That's a favorite of ours, too.
Tracy
Now this a grilled cheese sandwich! YUM!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Tracy.
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
Why is it that sandwiches always taste better when someone else makes them? I'll never know, but I sure wish I was eating one of yours right now!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I agree. If we ever meet in person, I'll make you a grilled cheese sandwich and you make one for me. Deal?