by Joseph Erdos

Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

A grilled cheese sandwich is as American as American gets. But other countries have their favorite form of cheese sandwich.

Of course, the Americans have processed cheese product melted between two pieces of cardboard white bread. It's what most kids grow up on, myself included. But I think it's time for a more mature grilled cheese sandwich.

My Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe puts a twist on an English classic, the ploughman's lunch. It's a sandwich I enjoyed countless times while traveling in England. The lunch is typically made of country bread, cheese, pickle or gherkin, and apple, pickled onions or beets.

According to some, the ploughman's lunch is not some ancient tradition but was in fact popularized by the British Cheese Board to market the country's cheeses. Whatever its origins, nowadays sandwich shops all over England serve some version of it. I simply take that sandwich and grill it to create the ultimate gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.

The ingredient that really makes the Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich is the pickle, which is what the English term relish. Branston makes the famous English pickle, which includes rutabaga, carrot, onion, cauliflower and gherkin, all pickled in a vinegary and spicy sauce. It hits all the savory and sweet receptors in your mouth. However, the most important Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe ingredient is cheese, in this case a very good English cheddar. As a rule, I always buy English or Wisconsin cheddar and never processed cheese. The apple slices add a slight sweetness and crunch to the sandwich. It's perfect for lunch or a snack, and it's easy enough to make in the frying pan or the toaster oven.

Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

    Prep Time: 5 minutes

    Cook time: 10 minutes

    Yield: Makes 1 Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ingredients

    2 slices whole-wheat bread

    4 slices English cheddar

    1 tablespoon Branston pickle (see note)

    1/2 apple, thinly sliced

Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe Instructions

    Warm a skillet set over medium heat.

    Lay bread slices in pan and toast on both sides. Spread each slice of bread with 1 1/2 teaspoons pickle.

    Lay 2 cheese slices on each bread slice.

    Layer one slice of bread with apple slices and top with other slice of bread.

    Grill sandwich until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Note: Find Branston pickle in the international aisle of the supermarket, in specialty British shops or online. To make the chunky relish more spreadable, chop finely in the food processor.

Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe, English Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Sandwich

 

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Ploughman's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe - An English Classic

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