Recipes: Grilled cheese sandwiches with balsamic glaze

GRILLED CHEESE sandwichES WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Makes 16 tartines or enough to serve 4 to 6 as an appetizer.

Note: Grafton Cheddar, produced in Grafton, Vt., is a superb aged Cheddar sold in many parts of the country. If it is not available, substitute a sharp white Cheddar.

Balsamic glaze:

• 1 c. balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, chilled and diced

Sandwiches:

•¹/₂c. (about 2 oz.) Gruyère cheese, grated

•¹/₂c. (about 2 oz.) Grafton Cheddar cheese, grated (see Note)

• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Directions

For the balsamic glaze, place vinegar in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Reduce to¹/₂cup. This should take 4 to 5 minutes, but can vary depending on pan used, so watch carefully. Remove saucepan from heat and add the diced butter. Stir until mixture is smooth. (Balsamic glaze can be made 1 day ahead; cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat just to warm over medium heat.)

Place 4 bread slices on a work surface. Toss the grated Gruyère and the grated Cheddar together. Then divide the cheese mixture evenly and spread on top of each slice. Top with remaining bread slices.

With a pastry brush, coat the top of each sandwich generously using half of the melted butter.

Place a large skillet (or a griddle) over medium high heat. When hot, place the sandwiches, buttered sides down, in the pan. Brush the top sides of sandwiches generously with the remaining melted butter.

Cook until the bottoms of the sandwiches are golden brown, only 1 to 2 minutes, depending on how hot your skillet is. Watch carefully so the sandwiches don't get too brown. Turn and cook until browned on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes. (The sandwiches can be prepared 3 hours ahead to this point. Cool, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to serve, finish baking sandwiches in the oven according to the following directions.)

When sandwiches are browned on both sides, transfer them to the baking sheet and place in the oven to heat through and melt cheese completely, 6 to 8 minutes.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories306Fat19 gSodium400 mgSaturated fat11 g

Carbohydrates23 gCalcium220 mg

Protein9 gCholesterol51 mgDietary fiber1 g