French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients:
- garlic - 1 small clove per 2 onions
- onions - 3 - 5
- olive oil - 1 tsp for each onion
- butter - 1 tsp for each onion
- bay leaf - 1
- fresh thyme - to desired taste
- salt and cracked black pepper - to desired taste
- red OR white wine - 1/4 cup or so
- grapeseed oil or olive oil - 1 T
- butter - 1 T
- French baguette OR French bread - 2 slices
- butter, softened - 1 T
- shredded gruyere cheese - enough to generously cover both slices of bread
- fresh thyme leaves - 1 sprig
- salt and pepper - to desired taste
Instructions:
Prepare braised onions -- slice onions in half lengthwise, then slice thinly again lengthwise. In a large skillet, over medium low heat add 1 tsp oil and 1 tsp butter for every onion. Add garlic, cook until soften, add the onions. Stir to coat the garlic and onions in oil mixture, add bay leaf and a small sprig of thyme, turn the heat to medium low. Continue to cook the onions until they are soft and deep golden brown, 30 - 40 minutes. Add wine, allow to cook down with the onions, another 5 - 7 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside. If you have extra onions, make French Onion Soup.
Prepare sandwich -- in a frying pan, heat 1 T grapeseed oil over medium low heat. Add 1 T butter and melt. Spread each slice of bread with 1 T soft butter. Add shredded cheese to one slice, pile about 1/2 cup onions on top, sprinkled with thyme, salt and pepper, add additional cheese. Top with a slice of bread, gently press sandwich together.
Place sandwich in the hot pan, cook until bread is toasted brown and cheese has started to melt. Carefully flip sandwich, cook until the other side is toasted brown and cheese has completely melted. Remove from pan; serve immediately.
