We are thrilled to partner with Wisconsin Cheese to bring you an exclusive look at the 2015 Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown® and share an extraordinary recipe that truly embodies the spirit of gourmet grilled cheese. While this content is sponsored, rest assured that all opinions and the passion for delicious food expressed here are entirely my own.
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Roast Beef: A Culinary Masterpiece
Prepare your taste buds for an unparalleled experience with “The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Roast Beef.” This isn’t just a sandwich; it’s a meticulously crafted culinary delight featuring succulent, tender slices of roast beef, vibrant fresh tomato, a crisp blend of arugula and spinach, the sweet depth of homemade caramelized onions, and the tantalizing sweetness of plum chutney. These incredible fillings are expertly layered between generous amounts of freshly shredded Wisconsin cheddar and creamy Wisconsin gouda cheeses, all melted to golden perfection on a hearty slice of Rye bread. The result is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more, guaranteed to become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection.
Get ready for the moment you’ve been anticipating! This is the recipe reveal that promises to elevate your grilled cheese game, perfectly timed for Grilled Cheese Month – a true celebration of one of America’s most beloved comfort foods. Every year, enthusiasts eagerly await new creations and innovative takes on the classic, and this year, we’re delivering something truly special that honors the rich tradition while pushing the boundaries of flavor.
I am absolutely thrilled and honored to announce my selection as a Grilled Cheese Academy Insider! This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me, but more importantly, it unlocks a world of possibilities for Y-O-U, our amazing readers and fellow food lovers. Being an Insider means I get to bring you closer to the heart of grilled cheese innovation, sharing secrets, tips, and, of course, the chance to win big!
This is huge news for anyone who appreciates the art of grilled cheese! Wisconsin Cheese and the esteemed Grilled Cheese Academy are proud sponsors of the highly anticipated 2015 Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown. This is your moment to shine, to unleash your creativity, and to potentially walk away as the grand prize winner of an astounding $15,000 for your fantastic grilled cheese recipe! Imagine what you could do with that kind of prize – all for creating a sandwich!
But first, to ignite your culinary journey, we’re offering you an exclusive opportunity to win a spectacular **gift prize package valued at $250!** This incredible prize includes a premium **Le Creuset Grill and Panini Set**, perfect for achieving that coveted golden crust and perfectly melted cheese every time. You’ll also receive **$50 worth of exquisite Wisconsin cheese**, allowing you to experiment with different varieties and elevate your next creation. To top it off, you’ll get an official **Grilled Cheese Academy apron**, making you look and feel like a true grilled cheese master. Everything you need to craft your very own ultimate grilled cheese sandwich is right here!
To enter this fantastic giveaway and get a head start on your journey to becoming a grilled cheese champion, simply visit the 365 Days of Baking and More Facebook page. Once there, locate and leave a comment on the designated contest post. After you’ve shown your love there, hop over to the Grilled Cheese Academy Facebook page and give them a like or a follow to immerse yourself in all things grilled cheese. This will ensure you stay updated on all their exciting contest announcements, tips, and future events. There’s even more incredible content and opportunities to come in the next few weeks, so don’t delay! **Enter now** for your chance to win! The Facebook contest officially closes on Friday, April 17th, at 11:59 pm EST, so make sure your entry is in before then!
Beyond our exclusive giveaway, the main event awaits! We urge you to visit the official websites of the Grilled Cheese Academy and Wisconsin Cheese to meticulously prepare and submit YOUR most innovative and mouth-watering recipe for the 2015 Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown. This is where dreams of culinary glory (and $15,000!) become a reality. We are eager to witness the wonderful grilled cheese ideas you’ve been perfecting. Grab your spatula, ignite your culinary passion, and let the melting begin!
Remember how we hinted last week that some key elements would unlock the full potential of this recipe? Those crucial components are the velvety caramelized onions and the delightfully sweet and tangy plum chutney. Thanks to the exceptional quality of Wisconsin Cheese, I was able to assemble what our family (the three who still live at home, at least!) unanimously declared as one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches we’ve ever tasted. It was simply smashingly delicious! So, to truly make your Grilled Cheese Roast Beef Sandwich the ultimate version, these two flavorful additions are absolutely essential. Trust us on this – they transform a great sandwich into an unforgettable one, adding layers of complexity and sweetness that perfectly complement the savory roast beef and rich cheeses.
*A quick note on the recipe measurements: they are approximate and may need slight adjustments based on the size and thickness of your bread slices. While the addition of gourmet elements like roast beef, a hint of Dijon mustard, fresh greens, juicy tomato, those delectable caramelized onions, and the distinctive plum chutney will undoubtedly elevate this sandwich to an extraordinary level, it’s crucial to remember that a truly spectacular grilled cheese sandwich is, at its heart, **ALL** about the **CHEESE**! The magic begins with the melting. You could, in fact, simply combine generous portions of authentic Wisconsin cheddar and Wisconsin gouda between two slices of bread, and you would still create a remarkably delicious grilled cheese entirely on its own. Just be sure to use a bit more cheese to ensure that luxurious, molten core!
For additional inspiration and expert guidance, I highly recommend checking out the wisdom shared by a fellow 2015 Grilled Cheese Insider, Mary, from the wonderful blog Barefeet in the Kitchen. She’s created an incredibly helpful Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Grilled Cheese. Her guide is packed with fantastic tips and features illustrative photos showcasing various Wisconsin cheeses and their incredible melting characteristics. I found her insights extremely beneficial when perfecting my own grilled cheese creations, and I’m confident you will too.
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Roast Beef and a Giveaway!
Ingredients
- 2 slices of Rye bread
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Wisconsin cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Wisconsin gouda cheese
- ¼ cup fresh arugula / spinach mix
- 2 slices thinly sliced roast beef
- 1-2 tablespoons caramelized onions
- 1-2 tablespoons plum chutney
- 2 slices tomato
- Approximately 2-3 tablespoons butter for the pan
Instructions
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In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together the mayonnaise and the Dijon mustard until well combined. This creamy, tangy spread will be key to enhancing the bread’s flavor.
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In a separate small bowl, gently toss together the freshly grated Wisconsin cheddar and Wisconsin gouda cheeses. Combining them ensures an even melt and a complex flavor profile throughout the sandwich.
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Place a large skillet or non-stick griddle over medium-low heat. Allowing it to heat slowly and evenly is crucial for a perfectly golden crust without burning.
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Spread the prepared mayonnaise and Dijon mixture generously on the inside of each slice of Rye bread, ensuring full coverage. This adds moisture and a subtle zesty kick.
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On one of the bread slices, carefully layer about ⅓ cup of the mixed Wisconsin cheeses, spreading it to the edges to create a solid cheese foundation.
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Next, place the fresh arugula and spinach mix evenly over the cheese layer. The greens will slightly wilt under the heat, adding a fresh, peppery contrast.
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Add the thinly sliced roast beef on top of the greens, ensuring it’s distributed for a bite in every mouthful.
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Generously top the roast beef with the sweet and savory caramelized onions and a dollop of plum chutney. These ingredients are the flavor stars that make this sandwich truly unique.
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Carefully arrange the two slices of fresh tomato over the chutney and onions.
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Cover the layered ingredients with the remaining mixed Wisconsin cheeses, ensuring the fillings are nestled between two layers of cheese.
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Gently place the second slice of Rye bread, mayonnaise-side down, on top of the assembled sandwich, completing your masterpiece.
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Melt one tablespoon of butter in the preheated pan, focusing it on the area where your sandwich will be placed. The butter is crucial for achieving a crispy, golden-brown crust.
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Carefully place the entire sandwich into the pan, making sure it sits flat to ensure even cooking.
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Cook for approximately 7 minutes on the first side. After about 5 minutes, use a thin spatula to peek at the bottom crust to check for that perfect golden brown color.
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Once the first side is beautifully golden brown, carefully lift the sandwich with your spatula. Add another tablespoon of butter (or a bit more if needed) to the pan, allowing it to melt and coat the surface.
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Gently flip the sandwich over and return it to the pan. Cook for an additional 7 minutes, again checking the bottom around the 5-minute mark to ensure the second side is equally golden and crisp.
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Resist the temptation to increase the heat! The secret to a perfect grilled cheese is cooking it “low and slow.” This gentle heat allows the Wisconsin cheeses to melt slowly and become incredibly gooey and luscious without scorching the bread, ensuring a perfectly cooked sandwich every time.
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In my personal culinary evaluations, I meticulously rate every dish I create on a scale of 1 to 4. I am proud to report that this particular Ultimate Grilled Cheese Roast Beef absolutely soared to a perfect 4 rolling pins! This isn’t just a high rating; it means this sandwich is truly exceptional, hitting all the right notes for flavor, texture, and overall satisfaction. It is, without a doubt, a “bomb” of flavor – an absolute must-try! In fact, this is precisely the grilled cheese creation I would confidently submit to the illustrious 2015 Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown. Its innovative combination of ingredients and flawless execution truly sets it apart.
Having crafted countless grilled cheese sandwiches over the years, I’ve distilled the process down to several critical factors that differentiate a good sandwich from a truly great, unforgettable one. Master these, and you’ll be well on your way to grilled cheese perfection:
- **The Foundation: Choosing the Right Bread.** Begin with exceptional quality bread. Forget about flimsy, plain white slices that offer little in terms of flavor or structural integrity. Instead, seek out artisanal, flavorful bread that can robustly contain all the delicious inner ingredients while contributing its own distinct character to the sandwich. Think of the bread as the cover of a gourmet book – it needs to be attractive, sturdy, and an essential part of the overall experience, holding the precious “jewels” inside. For this roast beef sandwich, Rye bread offers a wonderful hearty texture and subtly tangy flavor that complements the rich fillings perfectly.
- **Achieving Harmony: Mindful Ingredient Loading.** While adding various components to a grilled cheese can introduce wonderful layers of flavor, it’s vital not to overload your sandwich. The temptation to pile on every delicious ingredient can be strong, but too many fillings can lead to a messy situation – the sandwich might fall apart when you attempt to flip it or even as you take your first bite. The key is balance. I initially overloaded this very sandwich but quickly learned to reduce the quantity of each ingredient slightly. The result was a more manageable, yet equally (if not more!) flavorful, creation. Each ingredient had space to shine without overwhelming the others.
- **The Golden Rule: Low and Slow Cooking.** This is perhaps the most crucial tip for grilled cheese mastery. Always remember to cook your sandwich “low and slow.” Maintain your pan’s heat at medium-low and be patient. After about 5 minutes, gently lift a corner with a thin spatula to check the color of the bottom crust. High heat is the enemy of a perfect grilled cheese; it will quickly burn your bread (your beautiful “book cover”) before the cheese has had a chance to fully melt into that desirable, gooey consistency. Unless, of course, you enjoy burnt bread, like my dear grandfather did! But for truly molten cheese and a perfectly golden crust, slow and steady wins the race.
- **The Star of the Show: The Cheese Itself!** What is the most important part of a grilled cheese sandwich? Unquestionably, it’s the **CHEESE**! This is non-negotiable. To achieve that iconic, irresistible “ooey gooey goodness” – that moment when you take a bite and pull the sandwich away, and the cheese stretches dramatically, refusing to let go of your mouth – you must use high-quality Wisconsin cheeses. Wisconsin is renowned globally for its exceptional cheese production, offering an unparalleled variety of cheeses perfect for melting. Look for varieties like sharp cheddar, creamy gouda, or even a nuanced Fontina. The right cheese transforms a simple sandwich into a luxurious, comforting experience. That’s what it’s all about! I absolutely *adore* that perfect cheese pull!
Now that you’re armed with these essential tips and a truly ultimate recipe, go forth and enjoy the delightful process of crafting your very own grilled cheese masterpieces! I am genuinely excited to see the incredible creations you’ll come up with. Channel your inner grilled cheese maker, unleash your culinary imagination, and dive into this delicious challenge. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to **enter the 2015 Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown** for a chance at amazing prizes and recognition!
This entire post is proudly sponsored by Wisconsin Cheese. In exchange for this partnership, I have received both monetary compensation and complimentary products to develop and share my ultimate grilled cheese recipe. Please know that my commitment to my readers means I only endorse or recommend companies, websites, or products that I personally use, genuinely love, and wholeheartedly believe will offer significant benefit and value to you. This article is penned by me, and all opinions expressed within are, as always, solely my own and reflect my honest experience.
Sending you BIG baking hugs and delicious muffins from my kitchen to yours!