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
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
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.
Tupper
Awesome looking sammie there Canuck! Always looking for variations on the grilled cheese, and that is beautiful.
Winnie
Beautiful! I love Kitchen Play and this looks like a great sandwich Dara.
domenica
sooooo gooooddddd!!!!!!! i want eat now!!!!!
Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls
Ooh, this looks exceptionally delicious!
Katrina
This looks crazy good. I love finding new grilled cheese recipes!
Charissa
Awesome. I look a good sandwich, especially when it's different that the norm. Looks delish!
susan
wow...what a great flavor combo. i think we should declare grilled cheese month - grilled cheese year! is that so wrong?
Rochelle
Grilled cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods and you've showcased it perfectly with that mixture of garlic, wine and cheese. I so need to give this recipe a try. I think I also need to go to the store to get all the goodies to make it with 😀
bellini
It is grilld cheese month so this is a timely post Ms. Canuck. At Costco the Jarlesburg is my favourite cheese to take home!!!
Celia
Love the idea of putting seasoned cheese into a grilled cheese sandwich! More than anything, though, I love the crusty bread you used; nice to find someone else who like a little crunch with their melty cheese!