Save Pin A decadent grilled cheese sandwich featuring savory roasted garlic, sautéed mushrooms, fresh thyme, and gooey melted cheese on crispy golden bread.
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 1 head garlic, 200 g (7 oz) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced, 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced, 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
- Dairy: 120 g (4 oz) Gruyère cheese, grated, 120 g (4 oz) mozzarella cheese, grated, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- Bread: 4 slices sourdough or country bread
- Condiments & Seasonings: 2 tbsp olive oil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 25 30 minutes until soft. Squeeze out the cloves and mash into a paste set aside.
- Sauté vegetables:
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6 8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and any liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a plate.
- Prepare bread:
- Spread roasted garlic paste evenly onto one side of each bread slice.
- Assemble sandwiches:
- Layer half the cheese mixture on two slices of bread (garlic side up), top with the mushroom mixture, then the remaining cheese. Cover with the remaining bread slices, garlic side down.
- Apply butter:
- Spread butter on the outside of each sandwich.
- Grill sandwiches:
- Heat a clean skillet over medium low. Grill sandwiches 3 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
- Serve:
- Slice and serve hot.
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Save Pin Recipe FAQs
- → How should the garlic be prepared for optimal flavor?
Roast the garlic head whole after slicing its top and drizzling with olive oil. This method softens the cloves and intensifies their sweetness, creating a smooth paste perfect for spreading.
- → What type of mushrooms works best for this sandwich?
Cremini or button mushrooms provide a mild, earthy flavor that complements the garlic and thyme. Slicing and sautéing them until golden enhances their taste and texture.
- → Can other cheeses be used instead of Gruyère and mozzarella?
Swiss or Fontina cheeses are good substitutes, offering similar meltability and a mild nutty flavor that balances the rich ingredients.
- → How do you achieve the crispy golden crust on the bread?
Spreading softened butter on the outside of each sandwich slice before grilling on medium-low heat ensures a crisp, golden crust while the cheese melts inside.
- → What seasoning enhances the mushroom mixture?
Fresh thyme leaves add a fragrant herbal note. Seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper brings out the natural flavors, and optionally a splash of balsamic vinegar can add depth.