Smoked Bandel cheese & Roasted Jalapeño & Cashew Pesto Grilled Cheese | Kitchenstagram
Why settle for ordinary grilled cheese when you can indulge in the decadence of Smoked Bandel cheese & Roasted Jalapeño & Cashew Pesto Grilled Cheese? This culinary masterpiece combines the rich creaminess of mozzarella with the bold flavours of roasted jalapeño & cashew pesto and the smoky depth of Bandel cheese. It’s the ultimate fusion of flavours that will tantalize your taste buds.
What makes this sandwich even more irresistible is its simplicity and speed of preparation. In just a few minutes, you can have a gourmet meal that surpasses the mundane. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to utilize ingredients that might otherwise go to waste in your pantry or fridge.
However, be mindful of the oil content in your pesto to prevent greasiness. With this recipe, you’re not just making a meal, you’re celebrating the underrated harmony of pesto and cheese in all its glory. Pair it with your favourite soup for a quick, satisfying feast.
Ingredients needed for Smoked Bandel cheese & Roasted Jalapeño & Cashew Pesto Grilled Cheese:
Bread: Start with a foundation of good bread. Hand-sliced Italian ciabatta, robust sourdough or a rustic French boule add a sophisticated twist to the timeless sandwich. Ciabatta, sourdough or brioche offer unique textures and flavours, yet it’s crucial to ensure the chosen loaf can withstand the heat without crumbling.
Butter: Using salted butter is a fantastic option, it enhances the savoury flavour.
Jalapeño: Roasted jalapeño is the star of the pesto. Jalapeño adds a hint of heat and flavour. These peppers are rich in vitamins, A,C and potassium. The heat level of jalapeños can vary, so it’s important to ensure they’re at the right temperature for your pesto.
Garlic: Garlic serves as a flavour and taste enhancer. Fresh garlic cloves are recommended for their robust flavour.
Extra virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin Olive Oil is key ingredient in the pesto, lending a creamy and nutty undertone to the spread.
Cashew nut: Opt for raw unsalted cashews. If using salted cashews, adjust recipe salt accordingly or to taste. Roast cashews are a suitable alternative.
Cheese: Mozzarella is a classic choice that pairs perfectly with pesto. Fresh mozzarella is ideal, but shredded mozzarella works as well- just ensure to pat dry is it’s fresh to prevent excess moisture from affecting the sandwich’s texture. Smoked Bandel Cheese adds a delightful smoky depth to the sandwich, but if unavailable, feta cheese can be smoked on a grill for almost similar effect. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it often contains additives that can alter the sandwich’s taste.
Serving suggestions:
Smoked Bandel cheese & Roasted Jalapeño & Cashew Pesto Grilled cheese sandwiches are a comfort food classic, and choosing the right sides can elevate the entire the dining experience. One classic pair is with a bowl of Roasted Tomato Soup. The delightful combination of the warm, gooey sandwich and the tangy, creamy soup creates a comforting and satisfying meal.
If you’re in the mood for something crunchy, french Fries or potato wedges make excellent accompaniments. The contrast in texture adds a delightful dimension to the meal.
For a refreshing option, consider serving your Smoked Bandel cheese & Roasted Jalapeño & Cashew Pesto grilled cheese with a fresh green salad. The crispiness of the greens provides a nice balance to the richness of the sandwich.
For those who enjoy a bit of tanginess, coleslaw or refrigerator pickles can offer a refreshing and slightly acidic contrast to the cheesy sandwich.
Storage Tips:
Refrigeration: A hot grilled cheese straight from the skillet is a culinary delight, but storing leftover sandwiches requires fineness. After allowing them to cool, store them in an airtight container in the fridge, maintaining freshness up to 2 days.
Reheating: For reheating, it’s best to use the same method as cooking. If using a a skillet or griddle, heat over medium-low with a lid until the cheese melts, flipping once to ensure even heating. The lid captures the heat, ensuring thorough cheese melting. Remove the lid to crisp the bread once the cheese melts. Alternatively, microwaving is an option but may result in soggy bread.
Ingredients
For Roasted Jalapeño & Cashew Pesto:
2 nos. Jalapeño
1/4 cup Cashew nut
2 nos. Garlic clove
1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
2 tsp Extra virgin Olive oil
For Sandwich:
2 nos. Italian Bread slice
1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
1 disc Smoked Bandel Cheese
1 tbsp Butter
Preparation
For Roasted Jalapeño & Cashew Pesto:
- Step 1: To roast the peppers over an open flame, turn on the gas burner on highest setting. Set the peppers directly over the flame. Turn the peppers occasionally with tongs until all sides are charred and blistered. It should just blister and char a bit but do not let them burn.
- Step 2: Allow the peppers to cool enough to handle. Peel off the charred skin and remove the stems. Then slice the peppers and transfer to a blender jar.
- Step 3: Next add sliced jalapeños, cashew nuts, garlic cloves, kosher salt and extra virgin olive oil and blend until smooth. Keep aside.
For Sandwich:
- Step 4: Place the bread slices on a cutting board and spread with a layer of pesto on each side of the bread.
- Step 5: Then add milk and mix to dissolve everything properly, until lump free.
- Step 6: Then layer with mozzarella cheese on top of the pesto. Crumble the smoke Bandel cheese and layer on the mozzarella cheese. Top with the other slice of bread.
- Step 7: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat and melt butter.
- Step 8: Place the sandwich in the pan and cook on low heat until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown and crisp. Flip the sandwich and cook until the other slice of bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Step 9: Cut and serve immediately. Enjoy!!
Pro tips:
Make sure you have all of your ingredients ready to go before you start.
Opt for a larger pan and cook the sandwich open on low heat. This method allows the cheese to melt to perfection, achieving a lusciously gooey interior while the exterior attains a delightful golden crispness. Keep the heat consistently low to avoid browning too quickly, patience is the key for the ideal grilled cheese. Resist the temptation to crank up the heat, as a slow deliberate approach yields the best results.
Choose thick sliced bread. This thickness contributes to a substantial and satisfying texture, striking the right balance between crispiness and meltiness.
When it comes to cheese, freshly grated varieties work wonders, ensuring a superior melt compared to pre-shredded options.
Use salted butter for an extra layer of flavour.
About Me
DEBJANI MONDAL
Welcome to Kitchenstagram, the home of delicious recipes, culinary inspiration and cooking adventures. I’m Debjani and I’m thrilled to be your guide through the wonderful world of food. I’m a self-taught professional baker, home chef, recipe developer, author of Kitchenstagram and an aspiring YouTuber.
My passion for food and cooking began at a very young age, when I would watch my mom and dad cook for me and my brother. My dad, in particular is a great cook whose culinary skills made a lasting impression on me. My dad would cook up a storm on special occasions by cooking variety of dishes, from delicious biriyani to samosa, fish fry, rasgullas and kachoris (sweet & spicy deep fried pastry with filling of lentils, meat or fish…>>>>>
FOLLOW ME
My Latest Posts
- post 1
- post 2