Recipe: Cheesy Grilled Granny Smith Sandwiches

You might not think of the grill when you're making a sandwich, but why not? Similar to a panini, but with that great, grilled flavor, grilled sandwiches are a great way to put a new and tasty twist on an old classic. Give this simple, delicious recipe a try the next time you're looking for something a little different for lunch!

Cheesy Grilled Granny Smith Sandwiches
(Serves 2.)

Ingredients: 

A Granny Smith apple (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4 slices whole-grain bread
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon or Spicy Brown mustard
2 oz cheddar cheese, finely grated and divided
1/2 medium Granny Smith apple, cored, halved, and sliced lengthwise in thin strips

Directions:

• Preheat grill or griddle to temperature.
• Lay out the 4 slices of bread. Lightly brush one side of each piece of bread with oil.
• Flip 2 pieces of bread over and spread evenly with mustard. 
• Sprinkle half the cheddar cheese on both slices covered with mustard. 
• Place a layer of apples evenly over the cheese, then top with remaining cheese.
• Top each with other half of bread, oiled-side-up, to make 2 sandwiches.
• Cook sandwiches over medium heat on grill or in a cast iron skillet until light golden brown on bottom. 
• Flip with a spatula and continue cooking until cheese melts and bread is golden brown on other side. 
• Cut sandwiches in half and serve. Makes two servings.

Recipe: Grilled Gorgonzola Fig Melts

These may be sandwiches, but there's nothing boring about them! If you're tired of the same-old, this recipe will perk up your tastebuds with an exciting combination of tangy cheese and sweet figs, all combined with the smoky flavor of the grill. This one will impress even the pickiest gourmand, and it's a great and easy way to dress up a summer dinner with company.

Grilled Gorgonzola Fig Melts
(Makes 4 sandwiches.)

Ingredients:

Gorgonzola (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided
6 ripe but slightly firm figs, stemmed and cut in half lengthwise (the large pale green kind work well)
8 slices crusty Italian bread
4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, at room temperature
black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Melt 1 tbsp of the butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet.
2. Add figs to skillet cut side down and saute about 2 minutes until golden around the edges and soft to the touch. Turn and cook for an additional minute, then transfer to a plate and let cool slightly.
3. Brush grill rack with oil and preheat the grill to medium-high.
4. Assemble sandwiches by buttering one side of each slice of bread with remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. 
5. Put 4 slices of bread on a work surface, buttered side down, and spread the cheese evenly over all slices, followed by the figs. 
6. Put the remaining 4 bread slices on top, buttered side up.
7. Put sandwiches on the grill and cook for 2 minutes, until the undersides are golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. 
8. Turn sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to flatten them slightly. 
9. Cook for 1 minute, or until the undersides of bread are golden brown. 
10. Turn the sandwiches once more, press with the spatula, and cook for 30 seconds, or until the cheese melts completely. Serve immediately. Makes 4 sandwiches.