Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Zesty Cranberry Applesauce

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A golden grilled cheese sandwich is a cherished childhood memory.

One bite into warm, melted cheese and crisp bread alleviated the worst of winter weather when you were young.

You don't have to ignore this treat now that you're grown up.

However, you can improve on the childhood version and serve grilled cheese as a wonderful brunch, lunch or dinner entree for two.

Start by using cheese with robust, adult flavor. Buy a block of fine aged cheddar, such as the Tillamook or Grafton Village Cheese brand, in place of processed cheese. Although you can buy shredded cheese, buy a block of cheese instead and shred it just before making the sandwich to assure best quality.

Replace sliced white sandwich bread with a loaf of crusty country bread. The coarser texture is great for soaking up butter.

While you're updating the grilled cheese, rethink the accompaniment as well. Applesauce is a great comfort food. But this too can be transformed into an adult recipe. Add a little snap with gingerroot and cider vinegar. The Zesty Cranberry Applesauce recipe that follows makes two generous servings. If you have leftovers, refrigerate up to five days.

 

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Zesty Cranberry Applesauce

Makes 2 servings

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 8 minutes

 

Zesty Cranberry Applesauce (follows)

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 cup shredded sharp aged cheddar cheese

4 (1/2-inch thick) slices country bread, about 6 inches long, 4 inches wide

4 thin slices red onion

 

Prepare Zesty Cranberry Applesauce. Let cool to room temperature while making grilled cheese sandwiches.

Melt butter in large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Spread 1/2 cup cheese on each of 2 slices of bread. Press down. Top each with 2 onion slices. Cover with remaining bread.

Place sandwiches in skillet. Cook for 3 minutes per side over medium heat, pressing sandwiches down with spatula. When sandwiches are golden brown on both sides and cheese melts, remove from skillet. Cut each sandwich diagonally in half to serve. Add Zesty Cranberry Applesauce on the side.

Each serving has: 435 calories; 26 grams total fat; 22 grams protein; 29 grams carbohydrates; 75 milligrams cholesterol; 661 milligrams sodium and 1 gram dietary fiber.

 

Zesty Cranberry Applesauce

Makes 2 servings

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

 

2 teaspoons canola oil

1 large shallot or small red onion, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot

1 large or 2 small apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

1/3 cup frozen apple juice concentrate (not reconstituted)

1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

 

Heat oil in medium-size pot over medium heat. Add shallot and gingerroot, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add apple, apple juice and cranberries. Stir in vinegar, sugar and salt. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until apple is tender. Check liquid halfway through. If mixture is dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water. If there's too much liquid, turn up heat so some liquid evaporates.

Each serving has: 280 calories; 4.5 grams total fat; 1 gram protein; 60 grams carbohydrates; 127 milligrams sodium and 3 grams dietary fiber.

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Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Zesty Cranberry Applesauce - Bev Bennett Recipes

(c) 2010 Bev Bennett Recipes