Lately I've been receiving a lot of mail from fans who miss the Cheese Shop Mysteries. I do, too. Unless you didn't realize, the series has been canceled after 7 books. It was not my decision. It was my publisher's. They owned the series. Sigh. Wish I could write more of them but they won't negotiate. If you haven't read them, check them out. You'll have 7 books to keep you company.
Just because the series is canceled doesn't mean I can't give you a great cheese-y recipe.
I adore grilled cheese. I featured a recipe for one in nearly every Cheese Shop Mystery, and in the 2nd Cookbook Nook Mystery, Inherit the Word, the shop held a grilled cheese contest. Lots of recipes in that book.
But here's a new one for you. I was craving savory. I spied green tomatoes in the grocery store, and having never eaten one, decided it was time. Yum. I used gluten-free millet bread, but any bread you choose will do. Remember, the better the cheese, the better the grilled cheese. One tip: make sure your tomatoes and your cheese are sliced thinly. Cheese melts better when it's not chunky. (You'll see in my pictures that my cheese is a little chunky and didn't melt as well. Oops! Bad me.)
Green Tomato and olive Grilled
Cheese
(serves 2)
4 slices hearty bread like whole wheat – * I used gluten-free millet bread
2-4 tablespoons butter
2-4 tablespoons cream cheese
1-2 teaspoons spicy mustard
2-4 ounces sliced cheddar
1 regular sized green tomatoes, sliced thin
10-12 black olives, pitted and sliced
Butter each slice of bread on one side. Spread cream cheese
on the other side of the bread. [Note:
Cream cheese is on the inside of the sandwich; the butter side is the outside.]
To assemble:
Spread mustard on two slices of bread, cream cheese side up, and then layer
cheddar, then green tomatoes and olives, and then another layer of cheddar. Set
the other slice of bread on top and press gently.
If cooking on a
stovetop: Heat a large skillet over medium low heat for about 2 minutes.
Set the sandwiches on the skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes, until golden brown.
Flip the sandwiches, using a spatula, and cook another 2-4 minutes. You can
compress the sandwich with the spatula. Turn the sandwich one more time. Press
down with the spatula, and remove from the pan. Let cool about 2-3 minutes, and
serve. If desired, cover the pan with a lid to make cheese melt better.
If cooking on a panini
or sandwich maker: Set the sandwich on the griddle and slowly lower the
top. Cook for a total of 4 minutes. Remove from the griddle and let cool 2-3
minutes, then serve. Beware, the insides
might ooze out the sides.
Too chunky. Shredded or sliced thin would be better. |
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Book clubs from all over have descended on Crystal Cove to
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spending an evening with the Mystery Mavens and their moveable feast, when they
will go from house to house to share different culinary treats and discuss the
whodunit they’re all reading. It’s all good food and fun for the savvy armchair
detectives, until one of the members of the group is found murdered at the last
stop on the tour.
As if that weren’t enough to spoil her appetite, Jenna discovers
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unearths any number of possible culprits, but she’ll have to cook up a new way
to catch the killer before Pepper’s goose is cooked.
Includes tasty sweet and savory recipes!
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Your right-the proportions in a grilled cheese make a big difference.
ReplyDelete"One tip: make sure your tomatoes and your cheese are sliced thinly. Cheese melts better when it's not chunky." Yet in your picture your cheddar looks rather chunky.
Right now my favorite is thinly slice apple, slivers of thinly sliced onion, and cheddar with a light coating of mayonnaise.
Yep, Libby, that's why I made the note. My cheese melted but not enough. ~ Daryl PS Your sandwich sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteIt is fabulous, but a bit labor intensive with the onion, apple, and cheese cutting.
DeleteBut SO worth it.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are something so wonderful but has not popped into mind in months. Funny how we sometimes just need a reminder that something so easy and delicious can be made for a satisfying lunch.
ReplyDeleteLil
Lil, I agree. There are foods I adore, but I get into a rut of having the same old same old every week. Enjoy something "new." ~ Daryl
DeleteWow, I never thought of using cream cheese on a grilled cheese sandwich, so thanks for that! Will have to wait at least a few weeks, if not months, for green tomatoes. (A friend grows all kinds in a greenhouse and just added a new batch)
ReplyDeleteLynn, if you noticed, Libby mentioned mayonnaise. It does almost the same thing. Adds moisture that "heats quickly" to help melt the cheese. Enjoy. ~ Daryl
Delete