GOOD EATS: Grill cheese with bourbon onions

Isn’t it interesting how we’re nostalgic? You hear people say that a song or a smell can take them back to a specific time in their past. I also believe food has this power as well. There are a bunch of foods that take me back to my childhood and a grill cheese sandwich is definitely one. It’s funny because I grew up in an Italian family and grill cheese wasn’t part of the regular menu but it was one of my favourite go-to’s when I had to make my own meal. To this day it’s such a comfort food. I mean common, melted cheese + bread. Best combo! As an adult I still love grill cheese (my hips not as much) but I’ve learned to make some more grown up versions. Keep reading to see my latest recipe for grill cheese with bourbon onions using Kraft Shredded Cheese with a Touch of Philadelphia. The result is extra creamy and melt in your mouth.

I like to use shredded cheese when making a grill cheese because it’s convenient and it melts faster. I wanted try out Kraft Shredded Cheese with a Touch of Philadelphia because I thought it would be even MORE gooey and creamy and I was right. It’s available in three flavours – Creamy Mozza, Creamy Heard & Garlic and Creamy Mexicana. I decided to stick with the Mozza so I could add my own flavour with the bourbon onions. The recipe is a bit loosy goosy because you kinda wing it a bit depending on how many you’re making and your preferences.

GRILL CHEESE WITH BOURBON ONION:

• 1 package of Kraft Creamy Mozza Shredded Cheese with a Touch of Philadelphia
• a loaf of bread of your choice
• one red onion
• olive oil
• brown sugar
• bourbon
• butter
• salt & pepper

The directions and amounts below are for two sandwiches. Adjust accordingly.

First step is to caramelize the onions. I’m all for shortcuts in the kitchen but there’s no shortcut when it comes to this. It just takes time to do it right but it’s so worth it, the flavour is amazing. Heat up your pan over medium with about a tbsp each of butter & olive oil. Thinly slice up half of a large red onion and place in a pan. Once they’ve slightly browned add about 1 tbsp of brown sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved add 1 tbsp of bourbon. Keep stirring until the strong alcohol flavour has evaporated and make sure all brown bits from the bottom are removed. After about 15-20 minutes you will end up with some flavour packed bourbon infused caramelized onions.    Butter one side of all your pieces of bread then place a generous amount of the onions on one half of each sandwich. After place a generous amount of the Kraft Shredded cheese with a touch of Philadelphia on top of the onions. (note: next time I would put a layer of the cheese both below and above the onions)

Place the top slice on your sandwiches and they’re ready for the grill!

Use a little bit of butter in the pan to get that beautiful golden crust. Cook over low to medium heat and keep an eye on them. Once the cheese has melted on one side, flip over to melt on the other.

At this point your kitchen should smell amazing! It requires a bit of patience to get the cheese to melt just perfectly but then you get this creamy melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The drippy melting cheese is from using shredded cheese. You don’t get quite the same result with slices. I really noticed that extra bit of creaminess with the added Philadelphia to the Kraft Shredded cheese. It really was a melt you won’t forget.
Isn’t your mouth just watering about now? You can try this recipe which is something I cooked up or you can stop by the Kraft website for more recipes using Kraft Shredded Cheese with a Touch of Philadelphia. 

If you’re a cheese lover like me and love to share recipes, join the discussion on twitter. Kraft Canada is hosting a #TouchofPhillyCheese twitter party on April 16 at 9:00pm.

mmmm….cheese.

Disclosure: Although this post has been generously sponsored by Kraft Canada, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Kraft Canada.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY, STYLE & ART DIRECTION: Melissa / The Sweet Escape