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To round out National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month, I present to you, the GBP. Not to be confused with GTL, the GBP is an indulgent combination of Old Amsterdam Aged Gouda, Bacon and Pear topped with Balsamic Onions and grilled into a succulent sandwich. The GBP makes a hearty lunch or conversation starting appetizer. To learn more about Old Amsterdam Aged Gouda, check out Gouda-ness Gracious!
Ingredients for Gouda, Bacon, Pear with Balsamic Onions Sandwich:
6 ounces thinly sliced Old Amsterdam Aged Gouda, or similar
1 sliced D’Anjou pear, or similar
6 pieces cooked bacon
1 large onion, sliced
2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
12″ baguette
1 tsp olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
Notes: Makes four 3″ (long) sandwiches or 12 (finger) sandwiches. If pear is unavailable, use apple. Amounts of ingredients vary depending on size and number of sandwiches desired; balanced proportions are key to a great tasting sandwich. Using a heavy pan or hand-held sandwich press will produce the perfect grilled, pressed and melted sandwich. Prepare all ingredients prior to building sandwich.
Directions:
Prepare the Balsamic Onions: Saute sliced onion in olive oil over medium-low heat until soft, 5-8 minutes. Add salt & pepper to taste. Deglaze pan with balsamic vinegar. Reduce heat to low and allow balsamic vinegar to absorb into onions, about 5 minutes.
Sear the Pear: Grill or sear sliced pears over medium-high heat, about 3 minutes a side.
Build the GBP: On section of bread, layer Old Amsterdam Aged Gouda, cooked bacon, Gouda, grilled pear, Gouda, balsamic onions, Gouda and the top piece of bread. Alternating between ingredients and Gouda ensures that your sandwich will be stuck together.
Cook the GBP: Grill or griddle over medium heat, pressing sandwich with heavy pan or sandwich press to flatten. Use caution when flipping the GBP. Cook until cheese is melted and sandwich is warmed through. Share and enjoy!
Check out the Old Amsterdam Website for more recipe inspiration and join them on Facebook for even more Gouda goodness.
That really does look good. I’m loving the pear-bacon pairing and when has Gouda ever been a bad thing? I didn’t know I was supposed to be coming up with innovative grilled cheese sandwiches this month. Clearly I didn’t get the memo.
Thanks, Stuart! And there’s still some time left in the month — get griddling :)
I can practically taste this. Every element of this sandwich could be categorized under my “favorite foods” list.
I’m looking forward to meeting you at Camp Blogaway.
Yay!! I am really looking forward to meeting you too! Thanks for the kind words about the sammie – just a few of my favorite things too :P
All I would need is a nice cold beer and I would be “good to go” with this!!! Love every component here and all together? It just doesn’t get better than that!!
Oh, I must have that sandwich! Making it…
I’m quite sure this constitutes porn—food or otherwise!
My goodness, this looks delish! I love the salty and sweet combo… in just about anything. ;) (And I showed my husband the toaster sleeve and he’s all over it! Ha!) So great meeting you this weekend!
My girls were quite mesmerized by the toaster baggies, and I was just ogling the recipe (I LOVE gouda! I love cheese, period:)
Whenever I visit my sister in Germany or she visits me, the only thing I buy (or have her bring me) is cheese.
We are trying to have one sandwich night per month, and I cannot wait to try this one (husband is allergic to pears, which he can easily avoid).
Looking forward to perusing your blog – I am sure that you can point me towards many interesting SoCal things (I am still feeling like a Midwestern tourist, even though it had been over two years since we moved from Ohio:)
Hi Nancy! Thank you — I couldn’t agree more :)
Thanks, Bijouxs!
LOL Lentil Breakdown! Let’s hope so…
Roots+Platters, so great to meet you, too! And I’m so excited to hear your husband is excited about the toasta-bag — let me know how it works :)
Lana, I too am a nut for cheese and I’m happy to point fun SoCal activities in your direction… and chance you’d consider directing some of the cheese from Germany in mine? LOL Glad your girls liked the toasta-bags let me know what you think!