My Franco-Spanish Special

Here's the lowdown on my entry in the Invitational (I'm going to be *really* mad if I'm the only one who ends up posting, kids).

Goal
A fully edible sandwich to be desired time after time, nothing too elaborate, savory AND sweet, subtle but interesting, classic yet new. Paradox found.

How I picked my cheeses
I settled on whatever looked good to me at Whole Paycheck Foods as I ogled Cheese Island, still in a state of recovery from another night of culinary debauchery just 24 hours prior. I knew I wanted something melty (duh) and creamy, but I also knew that if I was going to go the route I eventually went - caving to brie(ish) despite all feelings of banality - I would need a second cheese to spice up the sandwich, both literally and figuratively. I picked Fromager d'Affinois as my base: a double-cream French cow's milk cheese with brie-like texture and brie+butterydelicious taste (read about it, one of my most favorite cheeses, here). For the kick-start, I picked Spanish Manchego, which is a sheep's milk cheese wonder among cheesy wonders. Just thinking about it gives me tremors. It's a little softer than parmesan and less strong, but its flavor is just powerful enough to zest things up, and its texture different enough to complement the creamy d'Affinois.

Ingredients
Fromager d'Affinois (incl. rind)
Manchego, shaved
Cranberry honey mustard
Rustic Italian loaf
BUTTER
Fun kitchenmates

Procedure
Spread mustard on two slices of bread. Spread ample amounts of d'Affinois on one slice, throw the slice outside-down on the pan after melting tons of butter in the pan. Sprinkle a handful of Manchego on the other slice, throw the slice outside-down on the pan. Cover pan with lid until cheese is mostly melted. Put Manchego slice on top of d'Affinois slice, marrying the two cheeses in holy meltimony. Grill about 2 mins on each side, pressing sandwich to get impressive outward grill marks and a fully consummated filling. (Times are approximate; surely you know a grilled grilled cheese sandwich when you see one! It's rather like obscenity.) Alienate Fun kitchenmates throughout.

FYI Religious Cheese

For the gospel of grilling, please check out this website. I knew miracles could happen when cheese is a factor.

http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/RootWeb/VirginMaryCheese.htm

CheeseBlog

Hi Everyone! Urmila and I began this blog to collect feedback on the Grilled Cheese Invitational. Please post recipes, comments and ideas for future Invitational events. After we collect the recipes, we will be compiling a memorial cookbook including sammies, photos and techniques. We had so much fun at the GCI, we hope you did too.