Blackberry Balsamic & Basil Grilled Cheese

How to make a sheet pan grilled cheese sandwich. This decadent sandwich has homemade blackberry balsamic jam, fresh basil, and pairs wonderfully with a SIP Certified sparkling Grenache Rosé. 
A Jerry James Stone Recipe

Categories

Sandwich, Vegetarian

Ingredients
  

Blackberry Balsamic Compote

  • 8 oz blackberries
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey

Berry & Basil Grilled Cheese

  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 8 slices artisanal multigrain bread
  • 4 oz fontina cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz white cheddar, shredded
  • 12 large basil leaves, stems removed
Jump to instructions
Yields 4
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Instructions

Blackberry Balsamic Compote:

  • Add 8 ounces blackberries to a saucepan and smash them using a fork or potato masher. Add ½ cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons honey.
  • Bring berry mixture to a boil and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until mixture reduces in volume by about half, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
  • One way to test your compote to see if it’s done is to coat a spoon with the mixture, let it cool briefly, then draw your finger across the back of the spoon. The line you draw with your finger should hold and the mixture should not be runny.
  • For optimal flavor, let the compote cool overnight.

Berry & Basil Grilled Cheese:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, mix together ¼ cup softened butter and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Take the butter mixture and spread it evenly on one side of each slice of bread.
  • Place 4 of the 8 slices of bread butter-side down onto a baking sheet.
  • On the unbuttered side of those slices, spread a heaping coat of the compote. Now divide the 4 ounces of shredded fontina and 4 ounces of shredded white cheddar between the 4 slices of bread. Divide the 12 basil leaves between the sandwiches.
  • Add the remaining 4 slices of bread buttered-side up to form sandwiches.
  • Bake in the oven for 5 minutes until the bread touching the sheet pan becomes golden brown. Carefully flip the sandwiches and bake them for about 5 more minutes until also golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and serve. Enjoy!