"It was a rainy Saturday night in St. Paul... and I had just finished off a grilled cheese sandwich..." ~ Prairie Home Companion

Somehow...
years ago...
our family fell into a routine...
and everyone knew...
come Sunday dinner, or supper, as we call it down south...
  grilled cheese sandwiches would be served.
I have tried to snazz it up a few times and sneak in some sauteed spinach and caramelized onions...
but the bar had been set...
very low indeed.
The classic grilled cheese is Ren Mans favorite.
However, I continue to branch out every now and again.


So, while ordering a coffee at the quirky...

Books and Beans

 coffee shop/2nd hand book store/internet cafe...

I noticed one of the employees constructing an interesting sandwich.

She was layering some type of meat and cheese... 

but then began to smooth a cheery red sauce...

on each side of the bread.

My mouth began to water as I asked what next?

These contrasting ingredients... 

would all be melded together... 
as the sandwich was heated...
in a panini press,

 which looks like this.
Needless to say... 
we do not own a fancy smancy panini press...
so improvisation was necessary...

to make this sandwich...

at home.


All of the savory and sweet flavors together were heavenly...
although not heavenly enough to sway Ren Man away from his classic. 


Click on the Whiffs tab above...
to make your own...
gourmet grilled cheese. 


Have a wonderful Wednesday.