Sweet and Savory
Grilled Cheese

This is a fun twist on the classic grilled cheese recipe. In this recipe, we will be adding sweetness with caramelized onions, and a tart crunch with sliced apples. Making caramelized onions takes some patience, but it’s totally worth it in the end! By cooking the onions low and slow you cook out the punchy onion flavour and you’re left with sweet and flavourful goodness! This flavour combination may be new to you but be brave and give it a try. You can always leave the apples on the side if you want!

Photo from: With Two Spoons

Makes 5 grilled cheese pockets

 Ingredients:

Caramelized onions

  • 2 onions, thinly sliced

  • 2 tsp oil* or butter*

Grilled cheeses

  • 10 slices of whole wheat bread

  • 2 apples, sliced thin

  • 1 2/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • 1 tbsp oil* or butter*

Equipment:

  • Cutting board

  • Knife

  • Saute pan or skillet

  • Baking sheet

  • Pastry brush or clean paper towel

  • Oven mitts

  • Oven

 

Directions:

Make caramelized onions:

  1. Thinly slice onions.

  2. In a medium-sized saute pan or skillet over medium heat, add oil or butter. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until starting to soften, about 8-10 minutes.

  3. Once softened, reduce heat to to medium-low, until deep golden and a jam-like consistency, stirring occasionally to make sure they don’t burn, 45-60 minutes.

Onions before cooking!

After about 8-10 minutes on medium heat. Turn the heat down to low.

Don’t stop here! It gets even better!

After 45-60 minutes, you have perfectly caramelized onions!

Photos from: Delish

 

Assemble and make grilled cheeses:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 F.

  2. Wash and cut apples into thin slices.

  3. With a pastry brush or paper towel, brush on some oil or melted butter onto the outside of the bread.

  4. Take 1/3 cup of shredded cheese place it between the bread.

  5. Place of few slices of apple and caramelized onion inside. Add a few more sprinkles of cheese inside if you like it cheesy!

  6. Repeat steps 4-6 with remaining sandwiches.

  7. Place onto a baking sheet and bake in your pre-heated oven for 6-8 mins. Have a helper flip the pockets and bake for an additional 6-8 mins, or until golden and cheese is melted.

🧅It might seem unnecessary to cook the onions at a low temperature for such a long time. The point is to slowly draw out the natural sugar in the onions which causes them to caramelize, not just brown. Don't rush the onions by turning up the heat. It's important to work slowly! We promise it's worth it!🧅

 

 ← Back to Activities