Growing up, it was a rare occasion that I would stay home sick from school. My sister and I were frustratingly healthy, and generally terrible actors, so we didn’t often convince our parents that we should miss school {I was always so jealous of Ferris Bueller}. However, whenever we did, it was wonderful, especially on the days our mother would stay home with us. Those days felt like a mini vacation – because my mom worked full-time, being home with her on a weekday, sitting around and watching movies, felt indulgent and special – a stolen moment with my mother, apart from reality. For lunch on those sick days, my mother would prepare grilled cheese sandwiches with Campbell’s tomato soup. Strangely, though I was sick, as I dipped my grilled cheese triangles into the tomato soup, I have never felt more comforted.
To this day, I still crave grilled cheese when I need a little comforting. Instead of my usual grilled cheese with gruyere, one Saturday afternoon I decided to make it a bit more special by adding one of my favorite cheese plate accoutrements – fig jam. And, to push it completely over the top and balance out the sweetness, I finished it with a slight sprinkling of heady truffle salt. It was salty, sweet, nutty, gooey deliciousness, and made me feel instantly comforted.
Recipe continued after the jump>>>
Recipe
Serves 1
- 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 slices of brioche or white bread
- 6 thin slices of gruyere
- 1-2 tablespoons of fig jam
- Truffle salt or sea salt, to taste
Heat skillet over medium low heat. Butter each slice of bread on one side only. Spread fig jam on the other side of each slice of bread. Place one slice of bread, butter side down and jam side up into the skillet. Place slices of cheese evenly on top of jam, and sprinkle with truffle or sea salt to taste. Then place other slice of bread, jam side down on top. Cook over medium low heat until desired color is achieved, and flip using a spatula. Cook on the other side until desired color is achieved and cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
Oh perfect, yes I remember those sick days also and my Mom preparing something she always made from me when I was sick. For me it was a soft boiled egg with buttery toast and a cup of sweet tea. To this day it’s something I always make when I am sick. I too remember the grilled cheese triangles dipped in Campbell’s tomato soup, it’s so good. The fig jam and cheese on brioche is special enough but the truffle salt takes it to another level.
Thank you! Your meal on sick days sounds delicious – will have to make myself that for breakfast right now! 🙂 xo
I don’t know what’s prettier, the photos or the sandwich itself!!! A Perfect combination!!!
Thank you Mimi! xo
Oooh, Lindsay! NOW I know what you were cooking up! lol I have been eagerly awaiting this post and, truly, you are a foodie sister after my own grilled-cheese-lovin’-heart! Love the combo and pics as always, just gorgeous, lovely, great job =) xo!
Haha thank you Christina! I agree that we are foodie sisters as everything you make promptly makes me drool! 🙂 We should have a grilled cheese party one of these days. 🙂 xo
Totally! It’s a deal, Lindsay =)
aww your so sweet on your momma..i just love family love 🙂 your grilled cheese sounds amazing..i am a total sweet salty junkie, so this is right up my ally…lovely post as always..sarah
Thank you Sarah! Is there really anything better than the sweet/salty combo? I think not! 🙂 xo
I make those, too. Sooo good!
I love grilled cheese sandwiches. Even more so when it’s fancied up! 🙂 Love the photos Lindsay.
Thank you Anne! Hope you’re doing well! xo
These look great. I love cheese with fruit and if it’s oozey and melty then all the better.
Thank you! I agree – the gooier (sp?), the better! 🙂
Haha, I’m a big fan of Ferris Bueller too ! But such a story never happened to me either 😀
I get more hungry every time I look at your photos… I never tasted such a sandwich (I usually stick to croque-monsieur) but it sounds indeed oh so comforting and easy to make !
Pingback: truffle salt roundup – featured on babble | { fleur de sel }
How did I miss this post? It’s possibly the most beautiful grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever seen! I’ve never eaten fig jam with cheese before but I definitely can see how the combination would work! Particularly with the gorgeous touch of truffle salt. Mmm! Congratulations on the Babble feature beautiful! You deserve the recognition! xx
Thank you so much Laura for your kind words – you are always so wonderfully supportive, and I am so grateful! xoxo