Gourmet Grilled Cheese: Brie, Chocolate + Strawberry and Cheddar, Apple + Fig

I’m in the Big Apple as I type this, a city of food. And when I say city of food, I mean a city with delicious and warm little cafes on every corner, carts with crave busting soft pretzels, hot dogs (my friends and I charmingly refer to them as “dirty dogs”) and every other kind of meat lining each street, the choice of Thai, Irish or Italian around each corner and world-renowned 5 star restaurants claiming their choice of space. Oh, and the bakeries… And coffee shops. It’s not necessarily a city I’d visit on a diet, not when I’d rather explore and enjoy the busting cities choice offerings.

And more than just being in the city as I type, I’m actually sitting in an adorable brownstone cafe, about to enjoy the recommended “amazing burger” my perky waitress offered over the ham and Brie or chicken avocado panini I was wavering between. What better place than to write about food. As so as I indulge here, I’m sharing a recipe I think is a must for you to indulge in there.

I recently hosted a quaint little girl’s night in, with chick flicks and chatting, and of course a very-girly food for the menu. It took awhile to decide, but then happily settled right into the idea of a cozy classic with a couple of gourmet twists.

I slightly adapted this recipe for roasted strawberry, dark chocolate and Brie grilled sammies, and picked up a thin loaf of sourdough bread to use for both that one and the cheddar, green apple and fig sandwich as well.
These gourmet sammies are bound to make anyone’s Friday night better…you’re welcome! Roasted Strawberry, Dark Chocolate + Brie Grilled Cheese
Makes two sandwiches
6 strawberries, quartered
1/2 teaspoon canola oil
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter
4 slices of sourdough bread
2-3 ounces of brie cheese, sliced
1-2 ounces high-quality chocolate

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss strawberries with oil and salt, then spread on a baking sheet or pan and roast for 15 minutes. (I think the sandwiches would have been just as delish without this step and might skip the roasting next time to test this theory, though it does get the chocolate melting right away.)

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Butter the sides of two slices of bread, then on the unbuttered side, layer on a few slices of cheese, chocolate and strawberries. Then butter one side of the other bread slices, and place on top. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has started to melt, then gently flip the sandwich and cook until golden. Enjoy immediately!

Cheddar, Green Apple + Fig Grilled Cheese
Makes two sandwiches
1 green apple, sliced thin
4 slices cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter
4 slices of sourdough bread
2 tablespoons fig jam

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Butter the sides of two slices of bread, then on the unbuttered side, layer on two slices of cheese, three or four slices of apple and spread a tablespoon of fig jam on each slice. Then butter one side of the other bread slices, and place on top. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has started to melt, then gently flip the sandwich and cook until golden. Serve immediately!

Because of the size of sandwiches we made, we calculated the calories for each at just around 300 calories.

Enjoy! Xo