Heidi's Fried Cheese Sandwich

evelyn/athens's Note:

My first culinary 'experience'. I must have been about 7, reading Heidi. This recipe was in the edition I was reading and I had to run to the kitchen and try it out immediately. Mom watched. Still fantastic! Expect something like a savoury-cheesey French Toast.

• Total Time: 18 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 sandwich

• 2 slices bread, thick (preferably bakery, but sandwich bread will do if nothing else is available)
• butter
• enough swiss cheese, to make a thick filling (the real stuff, I suppose cheddar would be good too, but Heidi's grandfather always gave her gruyer)
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk or 3 tablespoons cream
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Butter the bread generously and layer the cheese between the two pieces.
2. Beat the egg with the milk in a container large enough to contain the sandwich and season lightly (don't forget the cheese has salt too).
3. Allow the sandwich to absorb the egg/milk mixture- turn over 1/2 way through so the other side absorbs some too.
4. This should take about 10-15 minutes so as much of the custard is absorbed as possible.
5. Drop a tablespoonful of butter into a skillet (cast iron is best), on medium heat.
6. When it bubbles and smells very fragrant, add the sandwich and fry on both sides till a lovely dark-golden-brown and the cheese is all gooey and melted.
7. Put it on your best plate, pour yourself a big glass of milk, get out a fork and knife and enjoy.
8. Note: The texture of this is not like a regular grilled sandwich as the bread becomes moist and puffy because of the egg/milk soaking.

Reviews

[Beeks]

Excellente!! I made this using mozzarella cheese instead and after dipping in the egg and milk I rolled it in italian breadcrumbs, it was soooooooo goood. I'll eat my grilled cheese sandwiches like this forever

[Mary in OR]

I was disappointed in this. The taste of the batter was somewhat overwhelming and I kept having the urge to put syrup on it as if it were french toast.

[Baby Kato]

I enjoyed this for lunch today. What great flavor, I love what the egg does to this grilled cheese. the egg and swiss cheese were perfect together. Yummy what a treat. I had my heart set on this for lunch today, so when I discovered that I had no bread, I was disappointed, then I decided to use a fresh crossant to make my sandwich. It turned out beautifully. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe that I will make again. Made for ZWT7 for the Witchin Kitchen.