The other day I got a reader request for an asparagus grilled cheese sandwich topped with an egg which sounded good. I was immediatly thinking about a croque-madame which is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with an egg and I was thinking a fried egg. It was the end of the week however, and although I was lucky enough to have some asparagus left in the fridge, I was fresh out of eggs so I had to settle for just an asparagus grilled cheese sandwich. Since this sandwich was only going to have a few ingredients, I decided to roast the asparagus to enhance its natural flavour. For the sandwich, I started with a whole grain bread with a slight sweetness to it and I added some oka cheese that I had in the fridge that needed to be finished. (I would also have easily gone with some gruyere if I had had some on hand.) I finished the sandwich off with a hit of grainy mustard to add even more flavour and a bit of bite. I have to say, this roasted asparagus grilled cheese sandwich is one really nice way to enjoy some fresh summer asparagus!
Asparagus Grilled Cheese Sandwich
ingredients
- 6-8 stalk asparagus (trimmed and cleaned)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
- 1 slice oka cheese (or your favorite, gruyere would also be really nice)
- 2 slices of bread
- 1 tablespoon butter (room temperature)
directions
- Toss the asparagus in the oil, salt and pepper.
- Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast in a preheated 400F/200C oven until tender, about 10-30 minutes. (Note: Roasting time can vary greatly depending on how thick your asparagus is.)
- Butter the outside of each slice of bread, spread the mustard on the inside, sprinkle half of the cheese on one slice of bread, top with the asparagus, the remaining cheese and finally the other slice of bread.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, add the sandwich and grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.
Belinda @zomppa says
June 5, 2010 at 12:17 amWith or without egg, this looks amazing!
Pam says
June 5, 2010 at 1:03 amWhat a great idea!
Jenn@slim-shoppin says
June 5, 2010 at 2:40 amThat sammy looks so pretty! I love the stems coming out of the sides.
I roast asparagus, but never know how long to do it for. I guess I didn't realize if they were thicker, I could go 30 minutes and still be ok.
Great idea!
Anonymous says
June 5, 2010 at 4:35 amOkedokey. Not bad (of course LOOKS fantastic!) But I am such a fan of asparagus that I wouldn't put it "IN" any thing. But the roasted idea might work with salt/fresh ground pepper/ splash of lemon or lime. A drizzle of melted butter wouldn't hurt . . .:)
Michelle says
June 5, 2010 at 4:49 amomgosh i've never heard of such a thing and now i need it immediately!
Anonymous says
June 5, 2010 at 8:31 amAny more requests,George???
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
June 5, 2010 at 8:55 amIt is a great idea to add asparagus ina grilled sandwich! Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
Joanne says
June 5, 2010 at 10:12 amMy dad makes this fabulous stromboli stuffed with asparagus and mozzarella so I can speak from experience that asparagus and melted cheese is a godo thing!
Lauren says
June 5, 2010 at 10:58 amSinply gorgeous, Kevin. I'll be making this sandwich many times over the course of asparagus season!
Nina Timm says
June 5, 2010 at 11:31 amThis sandwich has a double crunch!!!! Yum!
Katerina says
June 5, 2010 at 11:53 amAlthough asparagus is not my most favorite vegetable this sandwich looks fantastic and I would definitely try it if I had it.
Kate Morgan Jackson says
June 5, 2010 at 1:04 pmwow, what a great take on grilled cheese! I've done it with tomatoes but never asaparagus — thanks for the post!
Kalyn says
June 5, 2010 at 1:07 pmBrilliant idea! I am imagining the flavor right now.
Gina says
June 5, 2010 at 1:13 pmKevin, this looks amazing!
Ameya says
June 5, 2010 at 1:45 pmHi Kevin,
I love asparagus and I love cheese, so I'm sure I would love this sandwich! 🙂
You have an awesome blog! I've followed it for quite a while now 🙂 I also just started my own food blog. Feel free to check it out at your convenience: http://www.spicesavant.blogspot.com. Any comments/feedback would be welcome!
Chef E says
June 5, 2010 at 3:07 pmI LOVE your post on asparagus! I guess you did buy a bundle of them, as you said a few post ago, and I am going to make this one, its cheese'alicious!
juliana says
June 5, 2010 at 4:08 pmi was reading through your blog – and it is great! what an array of recipes – and i thought that this may be something you'd enjoy: http://www.norecipes.com/2009/07/14/slow-roasted-salmon-recipe/ i've made it a fair few times now and it is one of the nicest things that i've ever eaten. i also made your halibut-wrapped-prosciutto yesterday and it was absolutely fantastic
pastry studio says
June 5, 2010 at 4:08 pmThat is one of the most beautiful sandwiches I've ever seen. I'm not a big sandwich eater, but this is my idea of deliciousness. That bread look fantastic and your presentation and photo are just stunning! I will serve this for a crowd.
Cooking with Kait says
June 5, 2010 at 4:17 pmGreat presentation. That sandwich looks so great with the cheese oozing out.
Jamie-lee says
June 5, 2010 at 5:05 pmWhat an amazingly yummy looking picture!!
Amara says
June 5, 2010 at 7:11 pmUmmmmmm, rico,rico,me encanta la idea.
Un saludo desde Andalucía, España
Ambika says
June 5, 2010 at 7:41 pmThat is one good looking sandwich!!!
Kevin says
June 5, 2010 at 8:35 pmJenn@slim-shoppin: Because the various thicknesses of the asparagus can vary the roasting time, I generally try to keep an eye on it and poke it with a fork every once in a while to see if it is tender yet.
Harvest Kitchen Sisters says
June 5, 2010 at 9:13 pmthis looks amazing!
Beautiful picture.
a
Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul says
June 5, 2010 at 10:52 pmAll my fav ingredients…your photography is always spot on…
What I like most about your blog is the simplicity of your dishes…yet with pizzaz.:)
Carmen
Hazel says
June 6, 2010 at 10:05 pmI saw this and knew instantly I HAD to make it! Two of my favorite things together – goodness, can't wait to try it out! Thanks for the great recipe and wonderful picture that got me hooked 🙂
Pam says
June 7, 2010 at 2:18 amWhat an excellent photo! I love, love, love this sandwich.
Marianna says
June 7, 2010 at 2:59 amwow… this is one crazy looking sandwich (in the positive sense that is!!) i am definately gonna give this a try at home, it looks irresistible! havent been blog-hopping lately as life hadnt been giving me time, but i noticed the quality of your pics has really changed quite a lot!! was curious to know if you were using a new camera?? your pics are looking fab
Sophie says
June 7, 2010 at 9:15 amA brilliant picture, Kevin!! Waw!!
This sandwich is surely spine trilling!!
I will make this tasty sandwich with white asparagus instead of the greens!!
Thanks!! MMMMMMMMMM,…lovely food!
Vivienne says
June 7, 2010 at 12:51 pmWow – when i saw the oozing melting cheese from foodgawker I almost drooled! YUM!! Going to give this a try 😉
Kevin says
June 8, 2010 at 10:55 amMarianna: I have found that it is more the lighting than the camera that has been helping me improve my photos. I am currently experimenting with off camera flash using an umbrella and I have been liking the results.
Marisa says
June 8, 2010 at 2:44 pmWould've never thought to add asparagus to a grilled cheese sandwich, but dang it looks good! Love the asparagus tips peeking out from one end.
fmrl says
June 8, 2010 at 10:52 pmthis looks delicious!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
June 10, 2010 at 1:13 amOh my goodness… LOVE this!
Sandie says
June 14, 2010 at 6:25 pmI made these for my lunch today, and they are…AMAZING!! I couldnt find any Oka cheese here in Wisconsin, so I used a combination of Muenster and Provolone cheeses, and it still tastes absolutely divine! I also used Dijon mustard instead of the spicy mustard… Yum!
Anonymous says
June 23, 2010 at 8:25 pmi was just looking for something to do with the asparagus i just bought, so i found this and just made it – thanks for a great dinner idea! the mustard is perfect
Anonymous says
April 9, 2011 at 10:02 pmOMG…i think i love you. I KNOW i love all of the toasted cheese recipes……
Charles says
September 8, 2011 at 5:03 pmLong time – no see. Hope you're doing well. This is so cool looking and tasty I'm sure. Are you still in love with your 7D?
Kevin says
September 9, 2011 at 10:01 amCharles: Yep, the 7D is an amazing camera! 🙂
Anonymous says
November 10, 2011 at 9:04 amHi, I just wanted to say that I made this sandwich yesterday night at home and it was really amazing, I did using some Spanish cheese as it was the only one I had at home, it was so creamy, and tasty I just couldn´t believe it, I think you should give it a try.
just have a look at this website and let me know what do you think.
kind regards
Ana
http://www.asturiascheese.com/spanish-cheese
Anonymous says
May 31, 2012 at 12:40 pmI am so happy I stumbled across you on pinterest! I shall be building the Asparagus Grilled Cheese Sandwich tonight. Looks so yummy. Thank you – Tracy L. Jax Bch, FL
Anonymous says
June 2, 2012 at 11:33 pmI made a grilled cheese with asparagus recently as well, I made it with the following ingredients:
2 slices of fresh oatmeal bread
1 slice of smoked Gouda
1 slice of provolone
a tablespoon or so of shredded mozzarella
6 sun dried tomatoes
5 stalks of asparagus that were slightly sauted
it was absolutely amazing and so pretty that I even took a picture of it
Maryam Bawamia says
June 7, 2012 at 8:00 amthis looks yummy ! can't wait to try it.. will let you know about the results 🙂
Trevor says
June 8, 2012 at 9:10 pmWhat an awesome idea. I'm totally hooked on white asparagus and hollandaise. This looks like it pulls together that creaminess and the fresh vegetable into a sandwich. Who wouldn't like that? Can't wait to try it next time I find some fresh asparagus!
Kim Raymond says
March 15, 2013 at 1:24 pmHi Kevin!
I think that this website is using your picture without your permission ou without crediting your work.
http://www.ecolivinglondon.org/blogs/food-amp-drink/creole-asparagus-grilled-cheese-sandwiches#comment-747
Kim
Kevin says
March 15, 2013 at 1:29 pmKim: Thanks for letting me know about this!
Emily : RainbowDelicious.com says
April 2, 2013 at 5:45 pmWe love this grilled cheese sandwich recipe! I used my panini press and they turned out great! I feautred this recipe in my most recent weekly meal plan on my blog, thanks!
Des says
May 26, 2013 at 7:44 pmOh. My. Goodness. I am all over this.
Anonymous says
February 22, 2014 at 1:07 amI'd make just one small change, grilled vidalia onion layered in w/ the asparagus. Delish!
Anonymous says
May 9, 2015 at 1:23 amThis looks delious, but i don't see the part on how to add the asparagus to the sandwich. Do you put the asparagus in the sandwich while you cook it? Can someone give me clarity.
kevin says
July 26, 2015 at 3:04 pmAnonymous: Add the asparagus to the sandwich when assembling it before cooking it.