Squash, Manchego and Balsamic-Onion Grilled Cheese
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the bread
- 1/2 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 Maui or other sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 8 slices country white bread
- 1 pound manchego cheese, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter.
- Toss the squash with the melted butter, maple syrup, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast until golden and soft, about 20 minutes.
- Set aside and let cool.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add the onion and toss to coat.
- Cook, without stirring, until the onion begins to develop a deep brown color, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir and add the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook, stirring, until the onion mixture thickens and develops an intense sweetness, about 15 more minutes.
- Sandwich build!
- Butter 1 slice of bread.
- On the unbuttered side, add the ingredients in this order from the ground up: manchego, squash, caramelized onion, sliced almonds and more manchego.
- Close with another buttered bread slice, buttered side up.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 3 more sandwiches.
- Heat a heavy griddle or flat pan over medium heat.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the pan.
- Lightly cook each sandwich, in batches if necessary, until the cheese starts to melt, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Low and slow is the key here so you don't kill your bread before the delicious innards get gooey.
- Photograph by James Wojcik
unsalted butter, butternut squash, maple syrup, chili powder, kosher salt, other sweet onion, balsamic vinegar, sugar, country white bread, manchego cheese, almonds
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/squash-manchego-and-balsamic-onion-grilled-cheese-recipe.html (may not work)