Name: Cast Iron Grown-up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Cheddar and Shallots
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: US & Canada
Ingredients: 7 ounces aged cheddar cheese, cut into 24 equal pieces, room temperature (1 3/4 cups); 2 ounces Brie cheese , rind removed; 2 tablespoons dry white wine; 4 teaspoons minced shallot; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 8 slices hearty white sandwich bread

Why This Recipe Works

In an attempt to liven up grilled cheese, some cooks add so many ingredients that the cheese becomes an afterthought. For a sandwich with more robust flavor and personality without going overboard on the toppings, we focused on the cheese. Inspired by fondue, our grown-up grilled cheese sandwiches started with flavorful aged cheddar, to which we added a small amount of wine and Brie. These two ingredients helped the aged cheddar melt evenly without becoming greasy. A little bit of shallot increased the sandwiches' complexity without detracting from the cheese. A smear of mustard butter on the bread added a shot of hot tang and helped it toast evenly while cooking in the steady heat of the cast-iron skillet.

Before You Begin

Look for a cheddar aged for about one year (avoid cheddar aged for longer; it won't melt well). To quickly bring the cheddar to room temperature, microwave the pieces until warm, about 30 seconds.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Process cheddar, Brie, and wine in food processor until mixture forms smooth paste, 20 to 30 seconds. Add shallot and pulse to combine, 3 to 5 pulses; transfer to bowl. In separate bowl, combine butter and mustard.

Spread butter-mustard mixture on 1 side of bread slices. Flip 4 slices over and spread cheese mixture on second side. Top with remaining 4 slices bread, buttered sides up, and press gently to set.

Heat 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes. Place 2 sandwiches in skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until bread is golden and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes per side, redistributing sandwiches as needed to ensure even browning.

Transfer sandwiches to prepared rack and keep warm in oven. Wipe skillet clean with paper towels and repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches. Serve.