What’s better than grilled cheese? Three gourmet grilled cheese recipes! Chef Elizabeth takes them to the next level with her Caramelized Onion, Flaming Greek, and Honeyed Brie Grilled Cheeses. Cooking more than one batch? Go for it! Make them one at a time and keep warm on a baking sheet in a 200 degree oven for up to 20 minutes.

Gourmet Grilled Cheeses

Make Mayo and Butter Spread: In a small bowl, mix together softened butter and mayonnaise until well combined. Set aside.

Make Caramelized Onion Spread: Heat butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions to pan and season generously with salt. Continue cooking until onions are very soft and caramelized, about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once caramelized, add thyme and sherry being careful not to ignite. Stir in chicken broth and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly. 

Don’t skip the salt! Salt removes the excess water from the onions and helps them caramelize.

Make Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Spread Mayo and Butter Spread on to one side of the bread slices. Flip and spread 4 slices of bread with Caramelized Onion Spread and top with even amounts of fresh mozzarella, provolone, and Gouda. Top with remaining bread slices to create 4 sandwiches, Mayo and Butter Spread side up. 

Preheat another medium skillet over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in preheated skillet and cover the pan with a lid. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese begins to melt and bread is golden brown. Remove lid and flip. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until other side is golden brown. Remove from skillet and repeat with remaining sandwiches. 

Mayo and Butter Spread

Caramelized Onion Spread

Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheeses

Make Greek Spread: Combine cucumbers with salt. Allow to stand at room temperature for at least 5 minutes; drain and discard liquid. Meanwhile, mix together mint, basil, oregano, garlic, and sour cream. Stir in drained cucumber. 

Make Greek Grilled Cheeses: Spread Mayo and Butter Spread on to one side of bread slices. Flip, spread 4 slices of bread with Greek Spread and top with even amounts of chicken, Swiss, provolone, and fresh mozzarella, Top with remaining bread slices to create 4 sandwiches, Mayo and Butter Spread side up. 

Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in preheated skillet and cover the pan with a lid. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese begins to melt and bread is golden brown. Remove lid and flip. Add brandy and very carefully ignite.

Alcohol is very flammable! To avoid burns, remove skillet from heat and use a lighter with a long neck and carefully ignite the brandy. The flame may be faint or transparent, so make sure the skillet is no longer ignited before placing back on the burner.

Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until other side is golden brown. Drizzle with lemon juice, if desired. 

Making the version above, the nutrition is as follows: 740 calories; 36g fat; 19g saturated fat; 0g trans fat; 120mg cholesterol; 1890mg sodium; 60g carbohydrates; 0g fiber; 2g sugars; (0g added sugars); 38g protein; 0% vitamin D; 50% calcium; 20% iron; 2% potassium.

Greek Spread

Greek Grilled Cheeses

Make Honeyed Brie Grilled Cheeses: Spread Mayo and Butter Spread on to one side of the bread slices. Flip, drizzle 4 pieces of bread with honey and top with even amounts of brie. Top with remaining bread slices to create 4 sandwiches, Mayo and Butter Spread side up.

Preheat skillet over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in preheated skillet. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese begins to melt and bread is golden brown; flip. Cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until other side is golden brown. Remove from pan and garnish with powdered sugar and honeycomb. 

If desired, serve with Honeyed Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together peach preserves, raw honey, and mint. Serve immediately.

Making the version above, the nutrition is as follows: 380 calories; 22g fat; 9g saturated fat; 0g trans fat; 45mg cholesterol; 520mg sodium; 37g carbohydrates; 0g fiber; 9g sugars; (9g added sugars); 10g protein; 0% vitamin D; 10% calcium; 10% iron; 2% potassium.