January was a good month for me. I decided to go dairy free at the first of the year and have had positive results thus far. I’ve felt less bloated, more energized, and my digestive tract seems happier.
Even though it’s been a positive trial it hasn’t been easy. I haven’t had ice cream for a whole month, not kidding. And I’ve had to go sans-cheese for our weekly pizza dinners. Such suffering – I know. But considering the benefits, it’s been well worth the sacrifice.
I used to be lactose intolerant as a kid and kind of “grew out of it” or so I thought. But in eliminating certain items from my diet this past month I’ve realized that milk, cream, ice cream, yogurt and whey protein powders are enemy number one. Cheese and butter, not so much, especially since I eat them in such moderation anyway. So moving forward I’m going to stay mostly dairy free, allowing only limited amounts of butter and cheese – hence the reason for this ooey, gooey, grilled cheese sandwich.
Oh grilled cheese, I’ve missed you…
The grilled cheese of my youth was flimsy, unsubstantial and made with fake cheese “product.” Ew.
This grilled cheese is made with hearty whole grain bread, aged white cheddar, and a choice of two fillings. Yes, we have choices! Caramelized onions or tart green apples. I don’t want to sway your opinion either way but… the onions have it in the bag.
I was fully expecting the apples to win with their tart, sweet crunch. But the caramelized onions play off of the cheddar so well that the savory version was my favorite. What I’m going to try next time is roasting the apples to make them more of like a pie filling, so their sweetness will really stand out. Sound like a good idea? It does to me.
There’s no turning back now.
Check back Thursday for a super simple soup recipe to dunk your grilled cheese in – sweet and savory alike!
- 4 slices hearty, whole grain bread
- 2 thick slices aged white cheddar cheese
- 1-2 Tbsp butter (I used Earth Balance)
- 1 tart green apple OR ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
- If using onion, add onions to a skillet over medium heat lightly sprayed with non-stick spray. Cook onions until soft, light brown and caramelized, stirring occasionally – about 5-8 minutes. Set aside.
- Toast your slices of breadly lightly in the toaster so they are more crisp (optional). Then lightly spread butter on one side of each slice.
- With the skillet over medium, add two slices of bread buttered side down and top each with one slice of cheese. Then top with a healthy portion of caramelized onion OR sliced green apple and then top with the other slice of bread – buttered side up.
- Cook on each side until golden brown and crisp – 2-3 minutes – being careful not to burn.
- Slice in half and serve warm. Reheats well the next day under the broiler.
Erica @ In and Around Town February 5, 2013 at 8:48 am
I love “designer” grilled cheeses! Makes for such a fun meal
Beth @ BandBBuildALife.com February 5, 2013 at 9:23 am
Ditto to Erica above, Designer grilled cheeses are where it’s at! Makes my otherwise uninspired dinner plans feel fancy! haha – Never thought to use onions, but now I’m kinda thinking ‘WHY DIDNT I THINK OF THAT?!?’. Looks yummy!
I’ve tried pears before and OH EM GEE the crisp crunch of the pear and the sweetness and then you get the cheese – a sharp cheddar or a swiss usually for me – so good!!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough February 5, 2013 at 10:11 am
Pretty sure I’m going to eat about 12 of these for lunch today. It’s happening.
De February 5, 2013 at 10:13 am
My body seems to have developed a dislike for dairy products over the years and it makes me sad because I LOVE cheese. As a solution, I just bought a bottle of dairy pills and I carry them with me lol This looks divine and I look forward to making it :)
McKenna Ryan February 5, 2013 at 10:26 am
This looks absolutely mouth watering. My stomach is growling! MMMmmm! xx. McKenna Lou
http://www.lynnandlou.com
Alissa February 5, 2013 at 10:40 am
OH MY WORD! This actually may be a godsend! I think you were in my dreams last night where I had the dream of apples with my grilled cheese!
becca February 5, 2013 at 2:39 pm
grilled cheese is NOW on the menu tonight. yum.
Sarah February 5, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Fancy grilled cheese is my life, and yes, the onions are something else.
Brianna K. February 5, 2013 at 7:26 pm
I actually make a similar sandwich with Granny Smith apples. I call it the
“Sophisticated Grilled Cheese” and use good-quality deli chicken, strawberry jelly, cinnamon, American or Sharp Cheddar, honey mustard, and raisins. The fillings sound weird, but trust me – the result is a warm, melty sandwich with a sweet and savory punch!
Jess February 5, 2013 at 8:31 pm
LOVE these photos, Dana – so striking. This is a fabulous idea for a combination – I love cheese and tart apples!
cindy February 6, 2013 at 7:13 am
I’m glad cheese is still a part of your life!
Is it weird that I want the onions AND apples on the same grilled cheese?
Dana February 6, 2013 at 3:06 pm
NO. N-O. That would be perfect!
Anna March 20, 2013 at 11:19 am
I was thinking the same thing!
Angela March 25, 2013 at 5:33 pm
SOOOO glad someone said this!! I was just sitting here thinking how good apples AND onions AND cheese would be!
Megan February 6, 2013 at 8:42 am
Oh man, aged white cheddar makes everything better! And I love sweet and savory together.
Ayumi February 6, 2013 at 10:48 am
It looks absolutely yummy!!! I have to try these :) thanks for sharing!
Manu February 6, 2013 at 3:30 pm
this looks unbelievable! i love your photography too!
vegan miam March 25, 2013 at 12:05 pm
I agree!
Marie-Julie Parent February 6, 2013 at 5:21 pm
I looooooooveeeee your web site! Tout simplement! ;) ( a few words in french from Montréal! )
natalie@thesweetslife February 8, 2013 at 1:09 pm
my ice cream loving soul is sad for you :( but whoa, glad you can still have cheese bc THIS IS AWESOME! i think i’d prefer both toppings on mine!
Deb March 3, 2013 at 8:59 am
I use Coconut oil to grill the sandwich as I too am *dairy free* w/limitations.
vegan miam March 25, 2013 at 12:05 pm
That looks really good! The only thing I would substitute is the vegan cheese, and I think GoVeggie vegan cheese looks exactly like that cheese, so it would be a yummy vegan cheesy sandwich!
Amanda at TheCottonwoodJournals.com April 19, 2013 at 2:32 pm
This grilled cheese looks so delicious. Have you entered it in the Grilled Cheese Academy’s recipe showdown? If not, you should! Here’s the website: http://grilledcheeseacademy.com