Fabio's decadent make-over of a classic American comfort food reveals great flavor combinations and simple tricks to amp up any boring grilled cheese.
Tips:
- THE BEST CHEESE FOR YOUR SAMMIE: Cheddar, American, and Swiss may be familiar cheeses, but there are so many more to choose from. Try melting triple cream Brie or Colby Jack, for example.
- Use seasoned or cured meats to spice things up! Pepperoni releases tasty oils that the bread absorbs, uniting everything into a delicious sandwich.
- Your bread matters! Choose flavorful loaves to take your sandwich to the next level.
- Use a foil-wrapped brick or Panini press to flatten fluffy breads (like Challah), and trap melted cheese and every bit of flavor.
Grilled CheesePepperoni Grilled Cheese
Recipe by Fabio Viviani
Yield: 1 sandwich
Ingredients:
2 slices Challah bread, sliced ½ -inch thick
1 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, sliced 1/3-inch thick (about 5-6 slices)
6 slices of sandwich-sized pepperoni
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Special equipment: Foil-wrapped brick.
Method:
Butter the "outside" of both slices of bread.
On one slice of bread, arrange 5-6 slices of cheese.
Top cheese with 6 slices of sandwich pepperoni.
Spread Dijon mustard on the "inside" of the second slice of buttered bread, and place on top of the pepperoni and cheese.
Place the sandwich into a COLD skillet, with the cheese on the bottom.
Top with the foil-wrapped brick, and cook over medium heat until golden-brown, about 3-4 minutes.
Flip sandwich with a spatula, and top with the brick again.
Cook another 2-3 minutes, until golden-brown and the cheese is completely melted.
Remove from heat and serve hot, with Fabio's Quick Tomato Soup (recipe follows).
MANGIA!!
Quick Tomato Soup
Recipe by Fabio Viviani
Yield: about 2 1/2 cups
Ingredients:
1 pint (2 cups) Fabio's Marinara Sauce
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken stock
extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
salt and pepper, to taste
Method:
Blend marinara, heavy cream, and chicken stock in a saucepan.
Heat over medium heat until creamy and hot, about 5-7 minutes.
Pour into mugs or bowls, and drizzle with olive oil.
Salt and pepper as needed.
MANGIA!!
