Pear & Havarti Grilled Cheese with Rosemary Honey

Fall is my favorite season here in the US because it’s the beginning of “snuggle weather”, apple cider, pumpkin pie, and the most decadent grilled cheese sandwiches. As a child, grilled cheese sandwiches were a fast and easy warm bite. As an adult, they’ve become decadent, and everyone knows that a little decadence can be good for the soul and other things every now and again {wink}.

I came across this recipe on Foodie Crush, and I think my stomach growled when I did. I’m addicted to eating pears with Havarti cheese. You all can have your “smellier the better cheese” however when it comes to cheese and pears, Havarti does the trick. Havarti is never overpowering and allows the texture and flavor of the pear to be still present. If you’ve never tried it, you must. I’ve turned a few friends onto it, and they are smelly cheese lovers, and yet they enjoy this delicious delight. Now some beautiful person decided that this pair should meet on brioche drizzled with rosemary honey and then grilled. Sweet goodness! That is a little heaven on earth for your taste buds!

P.S. I tried this dish at home, and it was delicious. Make sure you are ravenous; this is not for those just wanting a little something to nibble on. Bon mange!

 serves 4

3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
8 slices challah bread or brioche
2 tablespoons raspberry or strawberry jam
8 slices fresh pear
16 slices Havarti cheese
1 egg whisked
1 tablespoon milk

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt one tablespoon of butter. Add honey and rosemary and stir until blended. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove from heat.

2. On each slice of 4 slices of bread layer 1/2 tablespoon raspberry jam, one slice of cheese and two slices pear. Drizzle with honey and top with one more slice of cheese and remaining bread slices.

3. Heat a skillet on medium and melt one tablespoon of butter.  In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and milk together. Dip composed sandwiches in egg mixture, add to skillet two sandwiches at a time and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until bread becomes golden and cheese starts to melt. Flip sandwich once and cook until cheese melts and bread becomes golden another 3-4 minutes. Repeat with additional sandwiches. Cut in half and serve hot. YUM!