Recipe: Open-faced Fontina Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions & Shallots

My obsession with cheese of all kinds continues. Today we will explore the delicious simplicity that is the grilled cheese sandwich. Everybody loves a mean grilled cheese with all of its melty-toastiness; it seems like it’s a universal favorite, no matter what one’s cheese preference may be. But after awhile the standard American cheese on white or cheddar & swiss on wheat can get a little boring. You want to try something else with your perfectly toasted or grilled cheese-filled concoction, make it grow up a bit. I have many variations of grown-up grilled cheeses that I plan to post, but this one is currently the star.

This isn’t a quick lunchtime sandwich; this is hearty, fragrant, flavorful, and definitely holds its own as a nice dinner when paired with a fresh salad and a glass of wine. What makes this so different, you may ask? It’s just cheese & bread, right? Sure, but it’s Fontina cheese, with smoky nutty tones accented beautifully by the sweetness of caramelized onions and shallots. I like the combination of the two because of their individual flavors: the red onions are stronger, more pungent, and zestier, while the shallots lend a more delicate taste and aroma. This will all go well on top of any crusty type of bread, but I feel that the chewiness of Ciabatta that’s been lightly toasted in a warm oven goes best with the eventual gooeyness of the melted cheese.

Of course, the best part about any grilled cheese sandwich – aside from the taste – is the price. It truly is an affordable meal. People have been eating staples of bread and cheese for centuries, not only because they pair well but because they are relatively affordable staples. Does a wedge of Fontina cost a bit more than a pack of American cheese? Perhaps, but not by much. A pack of 16 slices (about 12 oz.) of Kraft American Cheese will regularly run about $4.50 at most grocery stores, while store brands run about a dollar less. A 1/2 lb wedge of Fontina will cost about $4-5, and once it’s been shredded, it yields about 2 cups (16 oz.). You’ve just scored 4 oz. of extra cheese for roughly the same price and can take comfort in the fact that you’re eating real cheese, as opposed to a “pasteurized cheese food product”. Nothing wrong with some American cheese now & then, but it is very much processed food with less nutritional value than the real thing.

I will step off my cheese soapbox now and give you the recipe. 🙂