This is not your childhood grilled cheese sandwich! This decadent sandwich is full of flavor with nutty Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions that reminds you of a traditional, comforting French Onion Soup.
1 large red or yellow onion- thinly sliced about 1/8 in thick
1 tbl. oil
pinch salt
pinch fresh cracked pepper
1/4 cu. sherry, port, or beef stock
4 slices hearty bread or French Bread
2 tbl. butter ( or half oil)
1 cu. grated Gruyere cheese
1 tsp. fresh thyme
Whole grain Mustard
In a large heavy bottom skillet, or cast iron pan, heat oil on medium heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes, stirring to coat. Turn heat down to medium low. Stir occasionally and continue sauteing for 30 minutes. Onions will sweat out their moisture, and eventually caramelize into a golden brown.
Add a generous pinch of salt, a splash of port, sherry, or stock (optional) and let the liquid cook off.
Remove from pan and wipe it out with a paper towel, to use again.
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spread outer slices of bread with softened butter. Spread inside with whole grain mustard (optional). On two slices, divide and layer shredded Gruyere, top with caramelized onions, sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, then add the rest of the cheese. Close the sandwiches with the other slices of bread, and gently press together.
Heat 2 tbl. butter (or a combination of butter and oil) in the same skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan and toast, carefully flipping when golden brown and cheese begins to melt.
Place in a warm oven to fully melt the cheese if necessary, which will prevent the bread from getting too dark. Cut in half, serve.
Yield: 2