Cinnamon Crusted Apple and Spinach Grilled Cheese

By: Alli from An Open Cookbook

It's time to completely rethink the classic grilled cheese sandwich! This Cinnamon Crusted Apple and Spinach Grilled Cheese recipe from Alli from An Open Cookbook uses everyday ingredients to create a gourmet grilled cheese to devour. Alli says, "There is this lovely tea shop down the street from my house that has the most interesting menu. One of my favorite sandwiches is cheddar grilled cheese with apple slices, which is then is coated with brown sugar and cinnamon. I decided to make a less sweet spin off this with gruyere and the addition of spinach."

Notes

For more recipes from Alli, be sure to check out her Featured Foodies profile page.

Yields2 servings

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon sugar
4 slices of good quality grainy bread
Olive or canola oil spray
2 slices gruyere or swiss cheese (or 4 to 6 tablespoons shredded)
1/2 apple, very thinly sliced on the mandoline or with knife
2 handfuls of spinach
Dijon mustard

Instructions

Spoon the cinnamon and sugar onto a plate. Stir around so they are evenly mixed. Take all four slices of bread together and spray the crusts with the cooking spray, making sure that all four sides get coated. Dip each side of the crusts into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Add as much or as little as you like.
Next prepare your fillings. Place the four pieces of bread on a plate or cutting board. Layer each piece of bread with cheese. If you are using slices of cheese, tear them into pieces so that each slice of bread gets a little bit of cheese. If you are using shredded, sprinkle enough to cover each slice. Layer two of the slices with spinach and two with apples. Slather a little mustard onto the apple slices. Carefully make two sandwiches with the cheese and spinach bread combined with an apple and cheese bread.
Spray a medium saute pan with cooking spray or use a few teaspoons of oil. Heat on medium heat. Cook one side of sandwich until nicely browned but not burnt, the same as you would with a regular grilled cheese. Spray or paint the top piece of bread with a little oil. When it comes time to flip, do so carefully to keep all the insides intact. Cook the other side until browned and cheese is melted.
Your kitchen will be perfumed with a cinnamon sugared melted cheese aroma. Serve alongside slices of the rest of the apple. Eat immediately.