Nothing beats a good grilled cheese sandwich. It should be noted that there's a whole spectrum of "good."
Sometimes, a basic grilled cheese — you know, the standby white bread and oozy American cheese variety — hits just right. Other times, you want something that's a little more complex, with multiple cheeses and a few add-ons.
My ultimate fall grilled cheese sandwich definitely veers a little towards the fancier side. I stumbled into making it when I had the (not quite sober) late-night thought, "What would a pumpkin spice grilled cheese taste like?" When I finally vocalized this query, it was initially a joke. The seasonal creep that the proliferation of pumpkin spice, and all the controversy that it represents, has been well-documented.
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But then, I considered it. I love a tart smear of fruit jam on a grilled cheese sandwich. Why not try one with some pumpkin butter loaded with ground ginger and cinnamon, which I make to kick off every fall? I set out to build a sandwich around that flavor. Here's what I came up with:
Homemade pumpkin butter
If you've never had pumpkin butter before, it will change how you think about pumpkin spice — especially if you've only ever used it in pumpkin pies and coffee drinks. It's easy to make, too! I do a half-hour shortcut version, which is made from simmering down canned pumpkin with warm baking spices and dark brown sugar until it becomes thick, shiny and caramelized.
Caramelized shallots
To really amplify the almost burnt-sugar notes of the pumpkin butter, I reached for a couple of shallots, which I minced and put over low heat on the stove with a little bit of oil and butter. Caramelizing shallots is an endeavor in patience; it takes about 15 minutes for them to take on a uniform, jammy consistency. However, it's absolutely worth it.
Goat cheese and gruyère
Squash of all sorts, including pumpkin, tend to pair beautifully with cheese, especially those with creamy and nutty notes. That's why I opted to double-up on the cheese in this sandwich with a creamy, tangy goat cheese and a full-bodied and earthy gruyère.
Milk bread
I was torn between a full-flavored, slightly sour rye bread and a soft, spongy milk bread (from my favorite Japanese bakery, Chako). Both are actually great options, but let me tell you: Slices of milk bread brushed with just a little bit of Kewpie mayo crisp up perfectly in a pan.
I've played with some extras as well — thick-cut bacon, calabrian chili and peppery arugula are winners — but this sandwich stands up as-is.
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Recipe: The Ultimate Fall Grilled Cheese
Makes 1 sandwich
Ingredients:
Pumpkin butter
- 1 15-ounce can of pumpkin purée
- 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
- 1/2 cup of water
Sandwich
- 2 thick slices of milk bread
- 1/2 tablespoon of Kewpie mayonnaise, divided
- 2 ounces of crumbled goat cheese
- 2 ounces of shredded gruyère
- 1 shallot
- 3 tablespoons of butter, divided
- 1/2 tablespoon of neutral oil
Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine all of the ingredients for the pumpkin butter. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pumpkin butter is thickened and slightly darker in color. Remove from heat and place in a sealable jar or container. It can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
2. For the caramelized shallots, slice the shallot and place it in a small pan alongside 1/2 tablespoon of butter and 1/2 tablespoon of neutral oil. Bring the heat up to medium-high and stir consistently until the shallots are a uniform brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and caramelize the shallots until they become jammy, stirring occasionally for about 10 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. For the grilled cheese, brush the milk bread with the Kewpie mayonnaise. Spread one of the slices with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin butter, the caramelized shallots and then stack it with the goat cheese and gruyère, followed by the remaining slice of bread.
4. Add the remaining butter to a small pan, and once it melts over medium-high heat, add your sandwich. Cook for a total of 5 minutes, flipping midway through. Remove from the pan once the cheese is melted and the bread is a toasty brown.
More inspired pumpkin ideas:
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