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Cheryl’s Grilled Cheese with Asian Pear





Total Time
30 mins

This delectable sweet-savory sandwich is an homage to Cheryl Dobbins, who leads tours of Cowgirl Creamery’s cheesemaking rooms in Point Reyes Station, California. The recipe is adapted from one in Cowgirl Creamery Cooks (Chronicle Books, 2013), by Cowgirl Creamy co-owners Sue Conley and Peggy Smith.

Cowgirl Creamery: Cheryl’s Grilled Cheese with Asian Pear (1113)




Thomas J. Story
 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
 3 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, divided
 1/2 cup chopped (1/2-in. dice) yellow onion
 1/2 cup chopped (1/2-in. dice) Asian pear or firm Bosc pear
  Salt and pepper
 4 ounces coarsely shredded gruyère cheese
 2 ounces fromage blanc
 4 slices ciabatta or potato bread
  About 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
Step 1
1

In a medium frying pan, heat olive oil with 1 tbsp. butter over medium heat. When butter is bubbling, add onion and pear and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and well browned, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside to cool.

Step 2
2

In a medium bowl, combine cheeses. When onion-pear mixture is cool, stir into cheeses.

Step 3
3

Top 2 bread slices with cheese mixture, smushing it evenly onto the bread. Spread other 2 slices with mustard and invert onto cheese.

Step 4
4

Butter outsides of each sandwich with remaining 2 tbsp. butter.

Step 5
5

Heat a large well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or a large, heavy nonstick pan over medium heat for a minute.

Step 6
6

Place sandwiches in skillet and cook until golden-brown underneath, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until it's just as toasty. Low and slow is the key. Cheese will probably ooze out, but that's okay. It gives the sandwiches a nice crunchy fringe.

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 765Calories from Fat 58
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 50g77%

Saturated Fat 26g130%
Cholesterol 128mg43%
Sodium 904mg38%
Total Carbohydrate 54g18%

Dietary Fiber 4g16%
Protein 27g54%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.