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.

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Grilled Cheese Fondue Sandwich

This amazing grilled cheese sandwich melds the flavors of cheese fondue with ham and tomato. The cheese spread is made with wine and garlic.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sandwiches

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Grilled Sandwich

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 7

Total Time: 22

Servings: Servings

Calories: 749kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

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
⅓ 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

Use a dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris or Chenin Blanc.

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I provide nutritional information for my recipes as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using the built-in recipe card calculator. While I attempt to provide information that is as accurate as possible, you should calculate the nutritional information independently before relying on it.

Nutrition

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Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

How to make grilled cheese fondue sandwich