the grilled cheese - ad hoc at home

As a continuation from my last post, here is the grilled cheese from ad hoc. Now, this post seems somewhat silly because it's well...grilled cheese. This isn't rocket science and even the most incompetent male (playing off stereotypes) college student can make grilled cheese. However, in true Thomas Keller fashion, chef takes it one step above and makes this all-time favorite even tastier.

You won't find 2 slices of cheap white bread or American cheese in this grilled cheese (although there will be butter...lots of it!). This sandwich is made using brioche and gruyere cheese. The end product is a very rich and - you guessed it - buttery sandwich that's really comforting. Pair this baby with a bowl of hot soup and you're ready to take on the world.

Now you may be wondering if you have to pair this with brioche. I guess it's not a requirement but I'd recommend giving it a try if you run across some brioche on your next grocery ventures. Another bread I really want to try making grilled cheese with is the milk bread from your local Asian bakeries. The milk bread is sweet, buttery, chewy and I think it'd be great in grilled cheese. If all else fails, just use a quality white bread. Oh and if you're making this for orthorexic college girls (you know, the ones that won't eat anything other than chicken breast or turkey and some of the most annoying people to cook for IMO) just tell them that the bread is "white whole wheat" (unless they're a foodie they'll just be impressed), the cheese is low fat and that spray butter was used. Just like that "chicken breast" that was really a chicken thigh muhahaha....

The Grilled Cheese

From ad hoc at home

Ingredients:

- brioche, sliced

- gruyere cheese, sliced

- butter, at room temperature (don't be shy)

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

2) Slice the brioche and gruyere. Assemble the grilled cheese. If you're on Aricept and forgot how to put together grilled cheese, it's brioche, cheese and brioche slice on top of that. Just like a sandwich. Make and set aside

3) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. We'll use this later to melt the cheese

4) Melt butter in a pan over medium-low/medium heat. Once it finishes foaming, place the brioche in the pan (cooking in batches) and brown for 1 - 1.5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for another minute. Remove the browned sandwiches to the baking sheet. Repeat until finished.

5) Spread a little butter on top of the grilled cheese and toss the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 1.5 - 2 minutes until the cheese becomes soft and slightly gooey. Remove from oven. Repeat with another set of grilled cheese if necessary.

6) Now, this step is completely optional. Place the grilled cheese on a cutting board and trim off all the edges. Cut the grilled cheese into 2-bite squares and assemble on a serving plate. Serve immediately.

Quick Note (again) - have you entered my giveaway yet? Just go on over and tell me about what food your guilty pleasure is. If you win, I'll be sending you: a reusable Earth Fare bag, Earth Fare ground cinnamon, a Cadbury Caramello and a few more mystery items that I haven't revealed yet.