Asparagus Grilled Cheese with Brown Butter and Dijon.
If we put asparagus in our grilled cheese, does that turn it into a superfood?
That is the question.
But I probably really don’t want to hear your answer, unless it’s OH HECK YES.
This sandwich might look a little plain or boring, but I can assure you that it is anything BUT.
This grilled cheese gets bonus points because it’s toasted with brown butter and spread with a bit of Dijon before grilling. The flavor seems simple but it is crazy insane! The brown butter and Dijon give it a caramely kick that it wouldn’t have otherwise.
The funny thing is that we really love asparagus over here! 99% of the time, we don’t trash it up in any way. We either roast it or grill it. I don’t even add bacon! Sometimes I drizzle on balsamic glaze or use a touch of parmesan cheese, but other times it’s just olive oil, salt and pepper. That’s how much we enjoy it.
So WHY must I go do things that make me love it even more? Like stick it inside a grilled cheese? Seems very unfair to the poor little asparagus who just want to be part of a healthy meal.
Orrrr… maybe they don’t. Maybe they secretly love being blanketed in melty cheese and crunchy toast.
While I’m loving these for lunch or dinner with a salad or soup, I’m really into the idea of making mini baguette versions and serving them for appetizers while entertaining friends! How cute would that be?
So here’s the deal. You want to make the brown butter first – even ahead of time so it’s on hand and solidified! It will look sort of funky. Maybe like bacon grease. But it is LOADED with flavor.
The asparagus is pan-roasted first, super quick, just so we’re not eating raw asparagus and all that. In the same pan, we cook the grilled cheese that has been spread with the brown butter outside and some dijon mustard inside. Tons of cheese stuffed inside, the most meltiest (yep, it’s a new word) havarti ever. Then finished with a parmesan sprinkle. Because the only thing a grilled cheese needs is more cheese.
Asparagus Grilled Cheese with Brown Butter and Dijon
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter browned
- 12 asparagus spears woody stems removed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 4 slices bread
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 6 ounces havarti cheese freshly grated
- finely grated parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Instructions
- To make the brown butter, follow these directions and allow the butter to solidify. You can stick it in the fridge to help it along!
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Toss in the asparagus and garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper, stirring often, until the asparagus has softened and looks a bit roasted. Remove it and set it on a plate.
- To assemble the grilled cheeses, spread the insides of the bread with the dijon mustard. Spread the outsides with the browned butter. Fill the insides of the bread with the grated cheese, placing the asparagus spears in the middle. I find it imperative to have cheese on both sides to act like “glue” and hold the sandwich together!
- Once golden, toasty and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwich from the heat and sprinkle with parmesan. Slice and serve!
Did you make this recipe?
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Bonus points for green stuff too!
27 Comments on “Asparagus Grilled Cheese with Brown Butter and Dijon.”
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This is far from being pain or boring! Fabulous.
Oops! I meant to type PLAIN. But it’s pain-free too ;)
See, now I had a grilled cheese yesterday AND there was asparagus in the fridge. They will not be separated in the future!
Yes, I believe, that asparagus turns all food to suoerfood :) :) And all clever children should read this post, how to sell for mothers idea about vegetables and healthy food :) :)
I love your post!
http://www.estoniancuisine.com
Oh my gosh… This looks so amazing!
omg the gooey cheese is killing me. i need one of these sandwiches ASAP…brown butter & grilled cheese & asparagus are all some of the best things EVER. (also, if you’re having plain asparagus, lemon zest does wonders too!)
I’m swooning over here because of the flavors. SWOONING!
Isn’t cheese a superfood already? Calcium, vitamins and all that? So to me the asparagus is just bonus, really.
And I LOVE the side shot with the dots of green in the cheese!!
Is the garlic clove used whole or minced?
Aaaaaand….my mind is blown. This sounds AMAZING and so simple. How have I not thought about putting asparagus on a sandwich before?!?
This sandwich looks amazing! I need this in my life ASAP!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Ooof that looks so good! I don’t think I’ve ever put asparagus on a sandwich before, but I like it!
Absolutely, you’ve elevated grilled cheese to superfood status! I think grilled cheeses can be an occasional healthy meal– with some whole grain bread, and cheese is high in protein. Add some green stuff and now we’re rocking. Loving this!
Yum!! I actually always sneak veggies into grilled cheese so my son won’t notice them. Zucchini, diced asparagus, steamed cauliflower bits, but I never think to do it for myself! This looks yummy
Loved this simple recipe! This was fun to make. Thanks for sharing.
Asparagus gets the healthy banner all the time… why not trash it up a bit!? I’m all in Jessica! That brown butter tho :D Delicious work!
This was a dinner – on kalamata olive bread with asparagus fresh from the garden. Perfect cheesy freshness.
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had to comment after viewing this and in answer to the question, yes, I think it probably does count as super-food! But even if not, it doesn’t matter since it looks wonderful, love the idea of adding dijon, seems like it would complement both the havarti and the asparagus, so thank you for this, and also the subtle but very important addition of parmesan at the end!
An absolutely super grilled cheese Jessica!! Great use for asparagus! So there’s no question about it…totally a superfood.
i LOVE asparagus..and just another way to help me love it! i’m dairy free but thinking daiya will work too!!! :) do you have a fav type of bread?
I’ve never had asparagus with melted cheese, but it looks like something I would love!
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