Welcome the new year with comfort food stuff

A few of months in the past, I received a existing embellished with a plaque that read through:

“2020: 1 Star, Wouldn’t Advise.”

We hung it on a cupboard in our kitchen, taking pleasure in the sentiment — 2020, an unparalleled calendar year of tiny option about our instances and no command around our scenario. Given that it is a new year, I considered we could start off it out with plenty of options.

It was a dark and stormy evening — just kidding. It was a sunny, warm afternoon (far too warm for December). Hungry soon after a wander up the hill with the pet, and seeking for some variety of lunch, we pulled bread, cheese and a few of heads of bitter greens out of the fridge.

My partner was skeptical. However we both appreciate grilled cheese sandwiches, he just wasn’t absolutely sure about the combination. It was an adult variation of the quality-faculty lunch we in all probability all had: a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup.

You can use any variety of cheese in this recipe, but I advise a robust a single like sharp cheddar, provolone, Gruyere or fontina. You can choose from several bitter greens that are in period now. I have made use of leftover broccoli rabe, escarole and frisée.

You can grill it in a frying pan or if you want to get fancy, dig out that panini press you have in the back of your cabinet. If you would like it to appear like a panini-pressed sandwich and don’t have a press, place a large, solid-iron pan on leading of the sandwich whilst it is cooking.

We give this sandwich five stars, unlike 2020.

Claudia Alexander has been happily cooking for family members and buddies for additional than 3 decades. She has a bi-weekly food stuff blog, sweetbynurture.com. Get in touch with her at [email protected].

RECIPE

Grilled cheese with bitter greens

Can make two sandwiches

4 thick slices of sourdough bread or French loaf

8 ounces sliced fontina, sharp cheddar or provolone

¼ pound escarole, broccoli rabe or frisée, washed, dried and any thick stems or ribs eliminated (see be aware)

1 to 2 tablespoons fig preserves (optional)

Canola spray for grilling or a couple tablespoons of unsalted butter softened

Position ¼ of the cheese on a slice of bread and unfold with the preserves (if employing). Add ½ of your greens and stick to up with a further ¼ of the cheese. Lay the next slice of bread on leading of your sandwich.

Warmth a griddle pan about medium-higher heat for two minutes. Spray pan with oil or butter one particular side of the sandwich. Include your very first sandwich (butter aspect down) and cook dinner for two minutes until finally golden. Flip and prepare dinner another two minutes.

Repeat with your 2nd sandwich. Provide warm.

Be aware: If you are applying broccoli rabe, it has to be cooked until you are only employing the leaves. Make guaranteed your greens are washed and dried completely.

— Tailored from Gourmet magazine