The garden is almost set for the summer.  I added the eggplants and the rest of the tomatoes.  All that is left to plant are the sweet potatoes and butternut squash.  Just hoping we do not get a freak frost tonight.

Garden Update

The greens have loved the cool weather, they are growing nicely.  In this pic are the spinach, kale, various lettuce, collard greens, and swiss chard. You can also seethe garlic, strawberries, kohlrabi, eggplants and celery.

The Food

On another of our nights alone, I decided that instead of fighting Cam’s grilled cheese obsession, I would join him and make my favorite grilled cheese sandwich – Pesto Grilled Cheese.

I first had a pesto grilled cheese sandwich while wandering around Nova Scotia in 1997.  It was so tasty, unlike any cheese sandwich I ever had before.  They used Asiago along with Mozzarella and some other cheese I can no longer remember.  I remember the Asiago, because it was the first time I ate that as well.

Since I first began making pesto, I have made various versions of this sandwich.  This one uses Balsamic BellaVitano, a truly delicious Wisconsin cheese I recently discovered. I included Mozzarella for texture, and my staple for all good grilled cheese sandwiches, Muenster.

Play with ingredients, vary the cheeses and their amounts, the type of pesto or the bread.  But most of all, enjoy it!

Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2 slices good bread (I used pumpernickel from the Frankfurt Bakery)

1 slice Muenster cheese

2 oz grated Mozzarella

1 oz grated Balsamic BellaVitano, Asiago, or other flavorful, italian-style cheese cheese

Pesto

Tomato sliced or chopped, depending upon the type of tomato

Unsalted butter

Directions

Spread the pesto on both slices of bread.

Layer the cheeses on top of the pesto on one slice.

Top with tomato.

Press the other slice of bread on top, pesto side down. Spread a think layer of butter on top of the sandwich.

Heat a panini press, or if you are like me and do not have one, heat a flat pan over medium or medium-low heat.  Place the sandwich, butter side down, on the pan and, using a second pan, press down on the sandwich and cook until browned (about 2 – 3 minutes).

Spread butter on the top of the sandwich (optional) and flip.  Press down again and cook another 2 – 3 minutes, until the bottom is browned.

Serve and enjoy!

Makes 1 sandwich.

Related articles

• Best grilled cheese sandwich ever!! (realmommysblog.wordpress.com)
• The Food Lab Turbo: How To Make The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich (seriouseats.com)
• Weekend Experiments in Grilled Cheese (bibliophotic.wordpress.com)