On a cold or rainy day –or any day, really– there’s nothing so comforting as a grilled cheese sandwich. Here’s a video about four variations on this favorite theme that I think you’ll love: Gruyere with sage oil; Fontina with roasted red peppers; cheddar and chutney; and Manouri with crisped prosciutto and fig jam. Each provides different accent flavors, but all have the essential characteristics of classic gilled cheese –a crispy exterior and a mild, warm, gooey inside.
Gruyere, Fontina and, of course, cheddar are cheeses that are familiar to many of us, but Manouri may not be. It’s a greek cheese made from sheep or goat milk with a mild, creamy flavor and a texture a bit like cheesecake. Paired with crisped, salty prosciutto and mildly sweet fig jam, it’s heavenly. To crisp prosciutto, place thin slices on a well oiled baking sheet and bake in a 350F oven for about 8 minutes (but watch it closely after 5).
