Top Chef Inspiration

French Onion Grilled Cheese

Every Wednesday night my husband and I have a "Top Chef" date night.  After we put the fishies to bed, we relax on the couch with some cocktails and watch the newest episode of "Top Chef" on Bravo.  Last week's episode involved a challenge where the contestants had to take a classic dish and disguise it.  One chef was assigned French Onion Soup and my husband and I both thought she really failed at the task - she still made soup!  My creative juices started flowing and I came up with the following recipe for dinner the next night.  This dish has all the best parts of French Onion Soup, yet the convenience of a sandwich.  It is such a deliciously decadent treat!  Enjoy!

French Onion Grilled Cheese
(Makes 3-4 medium-sized sandwiches)

4 oz. Gruyere cheese, shredded
1 loaf of good, hearty bread (I used a crusty wheat artisan loaf)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1 Tbl for every sandwich)
3 large onions, sliced
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 stick unsalted butter
Beef Au Jus (I just made some from a packet - I was lazy)

Put a saute pan over medium heat and add the butter.  When the butter has melted, add the onions, salt, pepper, and thyme.  Let cook on medium until really well caramelized, at least 30 minutes.  When finished, set the onions aside.  Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat (you may need to turn the heat down if the sandwich is browning too fast).  Assemble the sandwiches with your desired amount of cheese and onion.  Put 1 sandwich in the pan and let the bottom  turn golden in color.  Flip the sandwich.  On the now golden top, sprinkle some cheese.  When the bottom is golden, flip the sandwich again.  Sprinkle cheese on the top.  Let the bottom cheese-crust lightly brown and then flip and do the same to the other side.  Repeat this process with all additional sandwiches.  Serve with au jus for dipping.  Enjoy!!