‘Nduja Grilled Cheese with Wisconsin Fontina & Basil Pesto
Notes:‘Nduja, a spicy, smoky, spreadable salami from Calabria, can be found in specialty stores such as Whole Foods Market or from many online retailers.Be sure to use a sturdy bread that will stay intact when smeared with both pesto and ‘nduja. I love French peasant-style bread, but in keeping with the Italian theme here, ciabatta is a good choice. Be sure to slice it thickly to ensure the pesto, ‘nduja, and cheese don’t escape through the bread’s airy crumb.Spreading the bread with both butter and mayonnaise is the trick to ensuring it will brown evenly but taste buttery.
- Prep time
- 14 min
- Cook time
- 31 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted Wisconsin butter, softened
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 4 half-inch thick slices bread, such as ciabatta or chewy peasant-style bread
- 2 tbsp basil pesto
- 2 oz ‘nduja, see notes above
- 2 to 4 ounces Wisconsin fontina
Instructions
- 1
Heat a cast iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat. Stir together the butter and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Spread one side of each piece of bread with this mixture. Place the butter-mayo slicked side of the bread down on a work surface. Working with one pair of slices at a time, spread 1 tablespoon of the pesto on one slice, and spread half of the ‘nduja on the other. Repeat with the other two slices of bread. Top one slice of each pair of bread with 1 to 2 ounces of Wisconsin fontina, depending on how cheesy you want it. Top with the second buttered slice.
- 2
Fry on both sides until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted and golden, 2 to 4 minutes a side. I like to weigh down the sandwich with another pan (like a heavy saucepan) on the first side only. Remove sandwich from heat. Let cool for 1 minute, then slice and serve.