Grilled Artisan Cheddar & Fig Jam Sandwich

Epicurious  | October 2013

by Michael Phillips with Rick Rodgers

Chelsea Market Cookbook

  3 fork user rating

photo by Jennifer May

yield
Serves 1

Lucy's Whey

The grilled cheese sandwich at Lucy's Whey has garnered an extensive group of followers. These devotees appreciate the careful attention that goes into each bite. With so few ingredients, each one should be extraordinary. If you follow this advice at home, you will see how a humble cheese sandwich can turn heads. You can make as many sandwiches at once as you have room for on a panini press (or in a ridged grill pan weighted on top with a skillet).

Ingredients

• 1 crusty rustic roll
• 2 tablespoons top-quality fig jam, preferably Mitica (see Note)
• 2 teaspoons fragrant extra-virgin olive oil
• Flaky sea salt
• 3 ounces (85 g) artisan American Cheddar, preferably Prairie Breeze (see Note), cut into 3 thick slices

Preparation

1. Heat a panini press according to the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, heat a ridged grill pan or large skillet over medium heat.

2. Using a serrated knife, cut the roll in half horizontally. Spread each cut side of the roll with 1 tablespoon of the fig jam, drizzle the jam with 1 teaspoon of the oil, and season it with the salt. Arrange the Cheddar pieces closely on the bottom roll half, being sure that the cheese does not hang over the sides of the roll. Cover it with the remaining roll half, jam-side down.

3. Place the sandwich in the panini press and cook it until the roll is toasted and golden brown and the cheese is desirably melty, about 4 minutes, depending on the press. If using a ridged grill pan or skillet, place the sandwich in the pan and top it with a cast-iron skillet or heavy saucepan. Cook until the underside is toasted, about 2 minutes. Flip the sandwich over, top it with the cast-iron skillet again, and cook until the other side is toasted and the cheese is melty, about 2 minutes more.

4. Cut the sandwich in half and serve it hot.

Note: The Spanish company Mitica makes a fig jam that is sweetened only with lemon blossom honey, which gives it a pure flavor. Prairie Breeze Cheddar is a sweet and tangy cheese from Iowa, made by Milton Creamery with the high-quality milk of neighboring Amish farms. Any farmstead, artisan Cheddar would be a good substitute.

Reprinted with permission from Chelsea Market Cookbook: 100 Recipes from New York's Premier Indoor Food Hall by Michael Phillips with Rick Rodgers. Text copyright © 2013 Jamestown Premier Chelsea Market L.P.; photography copyright © 2013 Jennifer May. Published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang.