Elevated Pesto & Sun-Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese

• •8 slices Trader Joe's Sourdough Bread
• •1.5 cups (about 6 oz), shredded Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
• •0.5 cup Trader Joe's Pesto Genovese
• •0.5 cup, drained and finely chopped Sun-Dried Tomatoes (oil-packed)
• •4 tablespoons, softened Unsalted Butter

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare your ingredients: If your Unexpected Cheddar is not already shredded, grate it. Drain the oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes thoroughly and finely chop them. Ensure your butter is softened for easy spreading.

2. 2

   Assemble the sandwiches: Lay out all 8 slices of sourdough bread. Spread a generous tablespoon of pesto evenly on one side of 4 of the bread slices. These will be the bottom halves of your sandwiches.

3. 3

   Layer the fillings: On top of the pesto-spread slices, distribute half of the shredded Unexpected Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly over the cheese. Top with the remaining half of the shredded Unexpected Cheddar cheese.

4. 4

   Complete the sandwiches: Place the remaining 4 plain sourdough slices on top of the cheese and tomato layers, creating four complete sandwiches.

5. 5

   Butter the bread: Generously spread about 1 tablespoon of softened butter on the outside of each sandwich (both top and bottom slices). Ensure full coverage for even browning.

6. 6

   Cook the grilled cheese: Heat a large non-stick fry pan or griddle over medium-low heat. Place 2 sandwiches in the pan, buttered side down. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. Adjust heat as necessary to prevent burning while ensuring thorough melting.

7. 7

   Repeat and serve: Remove the cooked sandwiches from the pan and set aside. Cook the remaining 2 sandwiches in the same manner. Once all sandwiches are cooked, slice each one diagonally in half. Serve immediately and enjoy the elevated flavors.

Chef's Tips

• 💡**Low and Slow is Key:** For the best grilled cheese, cook over medium-low heat. This allows the bread to crisp and brown slowly without burning, giving the cheese ample time to melt into a gooey perfection.
• 💡**Butter Matters:** Don't skimp on the butter! It's crucial for achieving that beautiful golden crust and rich flavor. Make sure it's softened for even spreading.
• 💡**Press Gently:** While cooking, you can gently press down on the sandwiches with a spatula. This ensures even contact with the pan, better browning, and helps to compact the fillings.
• 💡**Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar:** This cheese is fantastic for grilled cheese due to its unique texture and nutty, parmesan-like notes when melted. Shredding it yourself helps it melt more evenly and quickly than pre-sliced cheese.
• 💡**Prep Ahead:** Chop your sun-dried tomatoes and shred your cheese in advance to make assembly quicker and easier.