Description
Blackberry Balsamic and Brie Grilled Cheese blends sweet blackberries & tangy balsamic with creamy brie for a gourmet twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices artisan sourdough bread (½-inch thick slices)
- 8 oz (226g) brie cheese, rind removed and sliced
- ½ cup (75g) fresh blackberries
- 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction or glaze
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
- 2 tablespoons (28g) salted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Blackberry Balsamic Spread In a small saucepan, combine blackberries, balsamic reduction, honey, and half the thyme leaves. Gently crush the blackberries with a fork while heating over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. You want the berries to release their juices and slightly thicken with the balsamic without becoming completely broken down. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. This can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Step 2: Prepare the Bread Spread the softened butter evenly across one outer side of each bread slice. Flip the slices over and spread a thin layer of the blackberry balsamic mixture on the unbuttered sides of all bread slices. Don’t oversaturate, as too much moisture can make your sandwich soggy.
- Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches On two of the bread slices (blackberry side up), arrange the brie slices evenly, sprinkle with remaining thyme leaves, and add a light dusting of freshly ground black pepper. Top with the remaining bread slices, blackberry side down, creating two sandwiches with the buttered sides facing outward.
- Step 4: Cook to Golden Perfection Heat olive oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Once warm, carefully add your sandwiches and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until they develop a rich golden brown color and the cheese begins to melt. Press gently with a spatula occasionally to help the ingredients meld together. If the bread is browning too quickly but the cheese needs more time to melt, lower the heat slightly and cover the pan for a minute.
- Step 5: Rest and Serve Transfer your Blackberry Balsamic and Brie Grilled Cheese to a cutting board and let rest for 1-2 minutes. Cut diagonally with a serrated knife and serve immediately while still warm, garnishing with a few fresh blackberries and thyme leaves for visual appeal.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg