This recipe is a combination of many grilled cheese recipes that I have tried and has resulted in the truly ultimate grilled cheese. Clearly cooking the sandwich over a medium low heat (or setting if you are using a panini grill like I do), but also using mayonnaise instead of butter to oil the bread against sticking to the pan or grill. I also love this sandwich using Camembert cheese (AOP of course), although it works well with many others including Compte, Provalone and Mozzarella.

Basic Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 round of Camembert
• 8 slices of bread

Instructions

1. Spread the Dijon mustard using a spatula evenly on the insides of the bread.
2. Cut the round of Camembert into 4 pieces and then thinly slice the Camembert cheese into ¼ inch thick slices. Layer the cheese on the bread and cover with the other slice of bread.
3. Spread the mayonnaise using a spatula on the outsider side of the top of the sandwich. Make sure the mayonnaise is evenly spread.
4. Once the pan is heated to a medium low temperature or the panini grill has heated up to a setting around 5 place the sandwich mayonnaise side down in the pan/grill. Spread the mayonnaise using a spatula on the remaining outsider side of the sandwich.
5. Grill the sandwich until the cheese has throughly melted and the outside of the sandwich is a golden brown (with grill marks if you are using a panini grill).
6. Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board and slice in half with a knife, serve warm.

Alternatives

1. Using a suggestion from the Susan Herrmann Loomis recipe “Camembert Burger” you can create an apple and onion compote.
2. Substitute the Camembert with Mozzarella and use some previously grilled tomatoes (which have been throughly dried after grilled by sitting on paper towel). Instead of dijon use a good pesto sauce. Voila you have a combination of a fresh summer pizza with a grilled cheese.
3. Substitute the Camembert with Comte or Gouda and use some previously grilled vegetable such as zucchini or eggplant. Try using a tarragon mustard instead of the dijon.

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich