Grilled Brie, Turkey & Pear Sandwiches
by Pamela Anderson
No, this isn't the grilled cheese of your childhood—it's better. Brie stands in for Cheddar and the turkey and pear are a nod to fresh fall flavors. Don't have turkey? Chicken will work just fine. If you have a panini maker, this sandwich is a great excuse to use it.
Serves 4
To learn more, read the article:
The Rules of Melting Cheese
One-half ripe pear, cored and thinly sliced
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 cups (about 8 oz.) shredded cooked turkey or chicken
1-1/2 tsp. lightly chopped fresh thyme leaves
Eight 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick slices artisan-style whole-grain sandwich bread
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
8 oz. Brie, sliced
4 tsp. unsalted butter, softened
In a small bowl, toss the pear slices with the lemon juice. Heat a large skillet or griddle over low heat.
Meanwhile, toss the turkey and thyme in a medium bowl. Spread each bread slice with mustard. Arrange half of the Brie on four slices of the bread. Layer the pears over the Brie. Mound the turkey mixture on top of the pears, layer on the remaining Brie, and top with the remaining bread slices mustard side down.
Lightly spread the tops of the sandwiches with half of the butter and set them, buttered side down, in the heated skillet (if necessary, cook the sandwiches in two batches). Set a large heavy skillet right on top of the sandwiches and put 2 lb. of weights (canned goods work well) in the empty skillet. Cook the sandwiches until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes.
Remove the weights, butter the sandwich tops, and turn the sandwiches over. Replace the skillet and weights and continue to cook until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is oozy, about 4 minutes longer. Cut the sandwiches in half and serve.
Serving Suggestions
A grown-up grilled cheese should have a grown-up soup to go along with it. Try
Wild Mushroom Soup with Sherry & Thyme.
nutrition information (per serving):
Calories
(kcal):
490;
Fat
(g):
27;
Fat Calories
(kcal):
240;
Saturated Fat
(g):
14;
Protein
(g):
33;
Monounsaturated Fat
(g):
8;
Carbohydrates
(g):
29;
Polyunsaturated Fat
(g):
2.5;
Sodium
(mg):
115;
Cholesterol
(mg):
840;
Fiber
(g):
4;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 91
, pp. 86a
January 16, 2008