Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese

Step 1

In a Dutch Oven or large pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, stir to combine with the butter, and add a big pinch of salt. Cook for 5 minutes. Turn heat to medium low and cook for 30-60 minutes until onions are deeply caramelized. The timing will depend on your pan, heat level, and amount of onions. Stir occasionally so onions don't burn.

Step 2

Once onions are caramelized, pour in the sherry to deglaze the pan. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any stuck bits. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove the caramelized onions to a bowl to use later for the grilled cheese.

Step 3

Assemble your grilled cheese. Lay down two slices of bread per sandwich. Optionally, on one piece of bread, evenly spread the fig jam. Next, add a layer of the reserved caramelized onions. Next, sprinkle on equal parts grated white cheddar and gruyere cheese. Use enough to thoroughly cover the sandwich. Place the other piece of bread on top.

Step 4

In a nonstick pan, melt a pat of butter over medium low heat. Add the assembled sandwich and cook for 3-5 minutes. Flip, add a little more butter if needed, and cook another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melty. Turn the heat to medium high, lift the sandwich with a spatula, and sprinkle some parmesan cheese into the pan. Place the sandwich back onto the parmesan for a minute so it coats the bread and forms a crust. Flip and do the same thing on the other side.

Step 5

Repeat the process for each sandwich.

Step 6

Slice the sandwich in half and serve.