Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1/2 small onion (sliced in to rings)
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 slices multigrain bread
  • 1 Tbsp butter (cut in half)
  • 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup Gouda cheese (shredded)
  • 1/2 pear (ripe but still firm, halved cored and thinly sliced)
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Balsamic Onions (from above)

Instruction

  • Make the balsamic onions: Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a skillet. Add onions and cook, stirring, until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until syrupy, about 2 minutes more. Set aside.
  • Prepare cheese and pears and set aside.
  • In a skillet, melt 1/2 Tbsp of the butter over medium heat. Spread one slice of the bread with 1/2 of the mayonnaise. Place mayonnaise side down on top of the butter. Quickly top bread with 1/2 the cheese, a single layer of the pear slices (you may not need all), a grind of pepper, the balsamic onions, then the rest of the cheese. Top with second bread slice. Reduce heat to medium-low. Place a plate on top of the sandwich, concave side down, to act as a weight (a dinner plate works well here). Allow to cook a few minutes, checking the underside of the sandwich regularly. When golden, remove plate from top. Spread the top of the sandwich with the remaining mayonnaise. Lift sandwich with a spatula. Add the remaining 1/2 Tbsp butter to the pan and allow to melt. Return sandwich to skillet, mayonnaise spread side down and cook as before with a plate over-top, until golden on the underside. Remove to a cutting board. Cut in half and enjoy!