Grilled Broccoli and Cheese Sandwich

 

Today I decided to share with you all what has become one of my favorite comfort food meals. Now if you are watching your calories, you probably want to just skip this one because it probably has almost enough calories for the your entire day. But I am a firm believer that once in a while we need to indulge ourselves and this sandwich will do just that. All the while also sneaking in a full serving of veggies in the filling.

So let’s start with those veggies since we need to get them roasting for our first step. I have used fresh broccoli in this in the past and that was what was called for in the original recipe that this one descends from. However I have found that frozen broccoli works just as well and is a lot more convenient since I try to keep a bag of it in my freezer all the time. If you have some cut or chopped broccoli you will save yourself a step, my store was out so I am using frozen broccoli florets.

 

Cut up the larger pieces so they will fit into the sandwich better and toss with the chopped onion some olive oil and seasonings. This needs to be done immediately before putting them in the oven. If frozen veggies go into the oven completely frozen they roast much better and cook evenly. If they start to defrost they tend to burn a lot and not cook evenly. Roast at 425°F for about 15 minutes.

While the broccoli is roasting we can prepare the rest of the filling. For that mix the cream cheese with the shredded cheese. I am using pre-shredded 4 cheese Mexican blend cheese. This is another thing that is almost always in my fridge all the time so it tends to be my go-to. You could also use shredded cheddar for this step. The combination of the cream cheese with the shredded cheese is what makes this sandwich so decadent. It really adds to both the flavor and the texture of the filling.

 

 

Spread one side of both pieces of bread with some butter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then coat the other side of one of them with the cheese filling.

 

 

 

 

Once the broccoli is roasted remove it from the pan and put the pan back in the oven while you finish assembling the sandwich.

To do this place the roasted veggies on top of the cheese filling then top with the second slice of bread butter side up.

 

 

Remove the baking pan just long enough to put the sandwich onto it and return it to the oven for 5 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remove the pan from the oven for only as much time as it takes to flip the sandwich and then back into the oven for another 5 minutes.

 

 

The secret to getting that wonderful brown outside to our sandwiches in the oven is to have the baking sheet as hot as possible. If it cools even for a few seconds your sandwich won’t get as brown as it should. It will still taste wonderful it just won’t be as pretty.

Remove the sandwich to a cutting board to cool for just a couple of minutes then cut as desired and serve.

As for the following recipe I decided to just give you the amounts for one sandwich so you can make as many or as few of them as needed. The only issue I can see with many a bunch of these would be being fast enough to keep the pan hot enough to get them all really browned.

You can find a downloadable/printable version of this recipe here.

Grilled Broccoli and Cheese Sandwich

8 oz frozen broccoli, cut up

1 green onion, cut up

olive oil

¼ teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is really good in here)

¼ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

2 Tablespoons cream cheese, softened

½ cup shredded 4 cheese Mexican Blend Cheese (or shredded cheddar)

2 slices sourdough bread

1 Tablespoon butter, softened

Pre-heat the oven to 425°F.

Combine the cut up broccoli and onion in a bowl and toss with the seasonings and just enough olive oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes or until brown and tender.

Meanwhile prepare the rest of the sandwich.

Combine the cream cheese and shredded cheese and set aside.

Spread one side of each slice of bread with the butter.

Spread the cheese mixture on the other side of one of the slices.

When the broccoli is finished remove it from the pan and return the pan to the oven immediately.

Spread the broccoli mixture over the cheese mixture and add the other slice of bread butter side out to the top of the sandwich.

Take the baking sheet out of the oven only long enough to transfer the sandwich onto it and put it back in the oven for 5 minutes.

Remove from the oven only long enough to flip the sandwich and return to the oven to bake for 5 more minutes.

Remove to a cutting board for a few minutes then cut as desired.

Makes 1 sandwich.