Q1: What is the absolute secret to the best, crispiest grilled cheese?

The secret is to cook it low and slow ! It may be tempting to crank up the heat to get it done faster, but cooking a grilled cheese over a gentle, medium-low heat is the key. This gives the cheese in the center plenty of time to melt completely and become gooey, while the butter on the outside of the bread has time to slowly toast to a perfect, even, deep golden brown without burning.

Q2: What are the best tomatoes to use for a roasted tomato soup?

The best secret is to use a variety of tomatoes ! As the recipe suggests, using a mix of different types of ripe, in-season tomatoes—like large, meaty heirloom tomatoes , classic vine-ripened tomatoes , and sweet plum or Roma tomatoes —will give your final soup a much more complex, balanced, and deep tomato flavor.

Q3: Can I make the soup ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! The Roasted Tomato Soup is a perfect make-ahead meal. In fact, its flavor is often even better on the second day after the flavors have had time to meld. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Q4: What other kinds of cheese are good with apples and bacon?

The classic, sharp cheddar in this recipe is a fantastic choice. However, other cheeses that have a good, nutty flavor and melt well would also be delicious. Try it with a nutty Gruyère , a creamy fontina , or a mild and melty provolone .

Q5: What is an immersion blender, and can I make this soup without one?

An immersion blender (also known as a stick blender) is a fantastic kitchen tool that allows you to blend a hot soup directly in the pot, which is very easy and convenient. If you don't have one, you can still absolutely make this soup! Simply let the soup cool down slightly, and then carefully transfer it in batches to a regular, countertop blender . Blend each batch until it is smooth, and then return the puréed soup to the pot to finish with the cream.

The Ultimate Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese

The Ultimate Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese (with Roasted Tomato Soup!)

A gourmet grilled cheese sandwich featuring a classic combination of sweet and savory flavors. Slices of country white bread are spread with Dijon mustard and filled with sharp cheddar cheese, crispy cooked bacon, and thin slices of tart Granny Smith apple. The outside of the sandwich is buttered and then pan-fried over medium-low heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted. The recipe article also includes a full, from-scratch recipe for Roasted Tomato Soup as a suggested pairing.

Author: Grace
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

8 slices country white bread
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
8 slices cooked bacon
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
4 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions

Note: The ingredient list was not fully specified in the source article and has been inferred from the instructions.
Lay out 8 slices of country white bread on a work surface.
Spread Dijon mustard on 4 of the slices.
Layer each of the mustard-spread slices with 2 slices of cheddar cheese, 2 slices of cooked bacon, and several slices of Granny Smith apple.
Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread to complete the sandwiches.
Spread softened butter on the outer sides of each sandwich.
Cook the sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 3 minutes per side, until the cheese is fully melted and the bread is golden brown and crisp.
Serve immediately, optionally with Roasted Tomato Soup.

Notes

Cooking the grilled cheese over medium-low heat is a key technique that allows the cheese to melt completely without burning the bread.
The article includes a full, separate recipe for a from-scratch Roasted Tomato Soup, which is the recommended pairing for this sandwich.
The combination of sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and tart apple creates a balanced, gourmet flavor profile.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/bacon-grilled-cheese/