Description

Enjoy a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors with this Pear Apple Grilled Cheese featuring caramelized onions, creamy brie, and sharp cheddar on hearty sourdough bread. Perfectly caramelized onions enhance the fresh, crisp slices of pear and apple, all melted together between golden, buttery grilled bread for a comforting and delicious sandwich.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Butter

4 slices sourdough bread (or any hearty bread)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free option)

Vegetables and Fruit

2 sweet onions (like Vidalia or yellow onions)
1 pear (fresh and ripe, such as Bartlett or Bosc)
1 apple (sweet, such as Honeycrisp or Fuji)

Cheese

4 ounces brie cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Seasoning

Salt (to taste)

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Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt, cooking slowly and stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes until the onions turn golden brown and develop a sweet flavor.
Prepare the Fruit: While the onions cook, thinly slice the pear and apple, keeping the skins on for added texture and flavor.
Assemble the Sandwich: Lay out 2 slices of bread. Spread brie on one slice and shredded cheddar on the other. Layer the sliced pear and apple on top of the cheese, followed by a generous amount of caramelized onions. Close the sandwich with the remaining bread slice.
Grill the Sandwich: In the same skillet, add a little more butter and heat over medium-low. Place the sandwich carefully into the skillet. Grill each side for about 3-4 minutes, pressing down slightly, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese melts thoroughly.
Serve: Remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it rest for a minute. Slice it in half and enjoy the warm, gooey, sweet-savory grilled cheese.

Notes

Use ripe but firm pears and apples to avoid sogginess.
For a dairy-free version, use olive oil instead of butter and vegan cheeses.
Adjust salt to taste, especially depending on the saltiness of the cheese used.
Pressing the sandwich slightly while grilling helps create a crispy crust and even melting.
Adding fresh herbs like thyme to the caramelizing onions can enhance flavor.