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    Szechuan Grilled Cheese

    Oct 15, 2022 · 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This post has been sponsored by WUJU Foods. All opinions expressed are my own.

    Today we’re preparing a Szechuan Grilled Cheese, and we’ll be doing so with a little help from my new friends over at WUJU.  From their Tangy Umami Dipping Sauce, to their Szechuan Chili Oil, WUJU products are a great way to give any dish a tasty infusion of Asian flare and tradition.

    A ‘gourmet’ grilled cheese, to me, is about more than just using a fancy cheese or artisan roll.  It’s about really heightening the flavor profile, and doing something unexpected with what’s ultimately a cheese sandwich that you’ve grilled, broiled, or put through the panini maker.  It’s about bringing to together a variety of fun flavors, and really kicking things up a notch.

    And that’s what we’ve done with this recipe.

    This grilled cheese is a sweet, savory, and spicy combo of crisp apple, Szechuan grilled ham, and three different cheeses – gouda, parmesan, and cheddar.  We’ll be serving this sandwich alongside some tangy umami sauce for dipping, with the end result being a delightfully complex grilled cheese, with layers of flavors that contrast absolutely beautifully.

    Now, without further delay, let’s make a Szechuan Grilled Cheese.  Below, I’ll be covering all the ingredients you need, while providing some tips and pointers for each.  Then, I’ll be going over some key substitutions and serving suggestions.

    Grilled Cheese Basics

    Simple to make, easy to love, and inexpensive, the basic grilled cheese sandwich – just butter, cheese, and bread – has been one of the most common sandwiches in America for over century. 

    One would think that the origins of such a simple recipe would be impossible to trace, but the history of this sandwich are shockingly well-documented.

    The sandwich, or a form of it, dates to the Great Depression – the Cheese Dream.  This was an open-faced warmed cheese sandwich.  Usually just cheese melted onto toast, which may or may not have been buttered.  In its modern form, the Grilled Cheese is described in US government cookbooks (yes, those are a thing), describing how navy chefs were to broil plain, buttered cheese sandwiches aboard warships during WWII.

    Navy personnel brought the recipe home after the war, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

    Ingredient Checklist and Notes

    • The Ham.  Regular sliced deli ham is all you’ll need for today’s recipe, though feel free to substitute in your preferred variety.
    • Parmesan. I’d recommend using a block or wedge of parmesan, and the cutting slices to lay on the sandwich.
    • Gouda.  I’m using regular sliced smoked gouda.  However, feel free to use the gouda of your choice.
    • Cheddar.  Standard yellow cheddar is really all you’re looking for here.
    • The Bread.  Thick sliced bread is what you want.  I’m using a homemade loaf, but there are plenty of options, which I’ll cover below.
    • Mayonnaise.  We’re using mayo instead of butter for the grilling process.  This adds moisture and thickness to the sandwich, along with acting as a ‘background’ or ‘carrier’ for the flavors, which I find works better with this particular combination of ingredients.
    • WUJU Chili Crisp Szechuan Chili Oil.  For me, this is the ingredient that ‘makes’ this sandwich. This is a spicy and savory mix of toasted garlic and crushed red chilies, carried in a Szechuan-style oil with sesame seeds, and just a hint of sea salt.  This is, simply put, a delicious chili oil.
    • WUJU Tangy Umami.  This dipping sauce, as the name implies, combines a tangy ‘bite’ with savory umami undertones.  Think molasses with soy sauce, then add in some vinegar and shiitake mushrooms, and the end result is a simply delicious dipping sauce.  This would go great on things like grilled steaks, stir fried pork or chicken, or even as a ‘dressing’ on sandwiches, as we’re doing today.
    • WUJU Asian Tang Potato Chips.  Some chili and lime chips are the perfect, and simplest, accompaniment for today’s Szechuan Grilled Cheese – and WUJU Asian Tang Potato Chips fill that bill perfectly.

    Substitutions

    • The Cheese.  Great substitutes for any of today’s cheeses include Jarlsberg, Havarti, and Mozzarella.
    • The Tex-Mex Combo.  Consider a delightful combination of Manchego and Oaxaca if you’re looking to change things up a bit.
    • The Bread.  Great options for today’s sandwich include sourdough, ciabatta, a hardy kaiser roll, Italian bread, or baguette are all potential candidates.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Coleslaw.  First up, a traditional coleslaw, featuring shredded cabbage with a lemon juice, pickle juice, and mayonnaise dressing. This is a great go-to, since you cane make it ahead, as it keeps in the fridge for about three days.
    • Fries.  Dip some crisped-to-perfection fries right in the Szechuan Oil, and you’re good to go.
    • Onion Rings. These are one of my favorite recipes.  Period.  They cook up with a deliciously thick and crispy coating, and pair wonderfully with a variety of foods, from burgers and steaks, to today’s fish and chips.
    Print

    Szechuan Grilled Cheese

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    ★★★★★

    4.9 from 13 reviews

    • Author: Living the Gourmet
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 8 minutes
    • Total Time: 13 minutes
    • Yield: 1 sandwich 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 slices of sourdough, ciabatta, or your favorite artisan bread
    • 2 slices aged gouda
    • 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese
    • Shavings of Parmesan Cheese
    • 3 slices deli ham
    • 1 apple, sliced
    • WUJU Chili Crisp Szechuan Chili Oil
    • Mayonnaise
    • WUJU Tangy Umami
    • WUJU Asian Tang Potato Chips

    Instructions

    • Heat a medium cast iron with WUJU Chili Crisp.  Add the deli ham and cook until the ham is golden.
    • In the same pan, brush sliced bread with mayonnaise and toast.  Brush the other side and flip.  Now top with the sliced cheeses, apple slices, and ham.  Cover for about 3 minutes to let the cheese melt.
    • Slice and serve with WUJU Tangy Umami sauce and the WUJU chips!  Enjoy!

    Keywords: sandwich, grilled cheese, cheese melt, spicy

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @LTGfood on Instagram and hashtag it #LTGfood

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    Sandwiches & Wraps

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandra k Czosek says

      16/10/2022 at 2:31 pm

      What an interesting info on grilled cheese and a different take on it – Szechuan.
      Hey thanks for stopping by, I am trying to slowly to come back.

      Reply
    2. DAVID J MYERS says

      16/10/2022 at 5:49 pm

      Catherine, That is a beautiful looking grilled cheese sandwich. It looks well defined, whereas many ‘specialty’ grilled cheese sandwiches over the years have disappointed out taste buds…usually because they’re overloaded with ingredients. Love the Szechuan twist with this version. My wife makes the best straight up no added items grilled cheese sandwich! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

      Reply
    3. Beth says

      17/10/2022 at 5:53 pm

      This looks amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a grilled cheese quite like this before.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Samantha Donnelly says

      18/10/2022 at 8:55 am

      I do love a grilled cheese sandwich and it is a go to for us at lunch times, will have to jazz ours up a bit now

      Reply
    5. Yaya says

      18/10/2022 at 3:14 pm

      This is definitely an upgraded grilled cheese sandwich! Yum!

      ★★★★

      Reply
    6. Fatima at The Self-Care Mom says

      19/10/2022 at 2:40 am

      My kids love grilled cheese sandwiches. These would be great for entertaining.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Josie Budah says

      19/10/2022 at 9:57 am

      As always your recipes are amazing! Definitely making this for my family especially my mom who loves a grilled cheese sandwich!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Jasmine Martin says

      20/10/2022 at 4:54 am

      I never heard of a szechaun grilled cheese sandwich before, but it sounds like it’d be good. I know that it looks delicious in these pictures.

      Reply
    9. Gloria says

      24/10/2022 at 4:41 pm

      Who can resist a grilled cheese sandwich? This sounds like a great twist on the classic. I need to make this for lunch today.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Bernice says

      24/10/2022 at 7:11 pm

      ahhhmazing! I will never pass up the chance to try out a unique cheese toastie recipe. I knew I already loved kimchi grilled cheese but this is a whole new ball game. Thanks for the fun recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Linda says

      24/10/2022 at 7:59 pm

      Just how I love my grilled cheese sandwich! My husband’s favorite part is always the ham but the three cheese flavors together make the sandwich. Love the addition of the apple for moistness. I’ve never tried a dipping sauce with this sandwich but the flavors melded perfectly.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Kathryn says

      25/10/2022 at 1:53 pm

      This grilled cheese is the best and I love all the different cheeses in the recipe. Going to make this again for lunch!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Lauren Michael Harris says

      26/10/2022 at 2:30 pm

      I love the unique spin on a classic grilled cheese sandwich. It’s a bit more “grown up” for those of us who enjoy a little extra flavor.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. LaKita says

      26/10/2022 at 4:14 pm

      This new take on a classic grilled cheese sandwich is absolutely amazing! So many flavors packed into one simple and delicious sandwich.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Veronika says

      28/10/2022 at 7:15 pm

      What a wonderful recipe! My husband loved it and asked to make it again tomorrow 😉

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Ann says

      30/10/2022 at 12:09 pm

      I love grilled cheese sandwiches! From the most basic to fancy, I am here for them all! This recipe sounds delicious! I plan on making these tonight with some soup!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

      31/10/2022 at 3:56 am

      Whoa! Is this heaven because this sandwich is heavenly!!! I’m crushing hard on this in such a big way!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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