Be Free For Me Blog

The Grilled Cheese sandwich is such a comfort food. The oozey, gooey cheese… the perfectly toasted gluten-free  bread that is crunchy & buttery on the outside, and soft & warm on the inside.  Perfection.

But if just the “basic” grilled cheese sandwich has so much perfection going on – what could a little creativity fueled by a bunch of fanatic grilled cheese lovin’ foodies create? Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread, in partnership with Horizon Organic Cheese, has taken on this feat and is sponsoring a challenge among a group of top food bloggers and chefs. The task? To create an original,  unique & delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

First off… I was thrilled that I was asked to compete in this challenge… so thank you Udi’s and Horizon Organics. Secondly, I’ve come up with three Grilled Cheese creations that will each blow your gluten-free griddles off.

Along with the first gluten-free grilled creation listed below, my Prosciutto & Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Balsamic Reduction, I have also created a Cherrywood Smoke Bacon & Date Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwich, which is reminiscent of my favorite appetizer of all time (Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Cherrywood Smoked Bacon) and also a fantastic breakfast grilled cheese creation – a Honey-Apple & Strawberry Grilled Cheesy Breakfast Sandwich.

Thanks to Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread and Horizon Organic Cheese for getting my grill-ative forces moving! Enjoy!

Prosciutto and Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Balsamic Reduction

Who said Grilled Cheese Sandwiches had to boring? This sandwich is salty, sweet and tangy…. All grilled into one. I really stuffed my sandwich with blackberries (since I love them so much) but use fewer or even substitute blackberry preserves. The Balsamic Reduction creates a unique dipping experience!

Ingredients:
About 1 tablespoon butter
2 slices of Udi’s Omega Flax & Fiber Bread (or your favorite Udi’s gluten-free bread)
2-4 slices of Horizon Organic Provolone Cheese
4 slices thin-sliced Prosciutto
10-12 ripe blackberries – or 2 tablespoons blackberry preserves
1/8 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
Spread 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place one of the slices of bread butter side down in a skillet over medium heat.

Place 1-2 slices of cheese on the bread. Next top with ½ the prosciutto, the blackberries, the remaining prosciutto, and 1-2 slice of cheese.  Top with the remaining piece of bread, butter side up.

Cook for about 6-7 minutes, flipping to ensure each side is golden brown.

While the sandwich is grilling, heat the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over high heat. The vinegar will boil quickly, so whisk often to prevent scorching. Add in the sugar little-by-little. Cook, and continue whisking, until the vinegar is reduced by about ½ and is syrupy and thick.

Drizzle the Balsamic Reduction in a fun pattern on the plate. Place the halved sandwich on top. Dip sandwich into the reduction for a tangy dipping experience!

Makes 1 sandwich.

This Grilled Cheese Sandwich is my adaptation of my favorite appetizer, Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Cherrywood Smoked Bacon. By substituting the blue cheese with Horizon Organic Cheddar Cheese you’ll find cheese that melts beautifully, with a sharpness that mates well with the sweetness of the figs and the smoky bacon.

This is also a perfect appetizer. After cooking cut into bite-sized strips and serve.

Want to see other Grilled Cheese Creations using Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread and Horizon Organic  Cheese? Check out these links:

Prosciutto and Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Balsamic Reduction

Honey-Apple & Strawberry Grilled Cheesy Breakfast Sandwich

Cherrywood Smoked Bacon & Fig Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Inspired by my favorite appetizer, Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, this combination takes the grilled cheese sandwich to the next level.

Ingredients:

4 slices cooked Cherrywood Smoked Bacon
2 slices of Udi’s Gluten-Free White Sandwich Bread
About 1 tablespoon of butter, for the skillet
1 ½ tablespoons Fig Butter or Fig Preserves (find this in the jam section of your local grocer)
2 slices of Horizon Organic Cheddar Cheese

Instructions:
Equally spread the Fig Butter equally on each slice of bread.

In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, place a slice of bread Fig Butter side up in the skillet. Top with a slice of cheese. Next top with the cooked Cherrywood Smoked Bacon (halved) and then the second slice of cheese. Place the second slice of bread Fig Butter side down on sandwich.

Cook for about 6-7 minutes, flipping to ensure each side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, ooey and gooey.

Serve immediately.

Makes 1 Fig-licious sandwich.

If you’re like me and you love grilled cheese sandwiches so much that you could eat them for every meal, every day, you need a few suggestions on how to grill them up for breakfast.

This sandwich is sweet, crunchy and packed with fresh strawberries. Love by kids and adults alike, it will soon be a family favorite.

Want to see other Grilled Cheese Creations using Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread and Horizon Organic  Cheese? Check out these links:

Prosciutto and Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Balsamic Reduction

Cherrywood Smoke Bacon & Date Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Honey-Apple & Strawberry Grilled Cheesy Breakfast Sandwich

A breakfast sandwich with no eggs? Absolutely! The addition of Honey Apple Butter makes Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread even softer than it already is. Good Morrrnnn-ing, Gluten-Free!

Ingredients:
2 slices of Udi’s Gluten-Free White Sandwich Bread
3 Tablespoons Honey-Apple Butter, plus 1 tablespoon for the skillet (I used Trader Joe’s brand – but any type will do)
About 1 tablespoon of butter, for the skillet
2 slices of Horizon Organic Provolone Cheese (or American)
2 Strawberries – washed, hulled and sliced thin

Instructions:
Spread 2 tablespoon of Honey-Apple Butter equally on each slice of bread.

In a large skillet, heat the butter, plus one tablespoon of the Honey-Apple Butter, over medium heat. Once melted, place a slice of bread Honey-Apple side up in the skillet. Top with a slice of cheese. Next top with the sliced strawberries and the second slice of cheese. Place the second slice of bread Honey-Apple side down on sandwich.

Cook for about 6-7 minutes, flipping to ensure each side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, ooey and gooey.

Serve immediately and start your day off Udi-fully.

Makes 1 delicious sandwich.