Grilled Cheese, Chocolate & Marmalade Sandwich

SantaCruzArt at Etsy.com

I tend to post a lot of recipes that revolve around Food Holidays. Not sure who designated some of these holidays or why, but no matter, I love to celebrate any and every food...especially when I can add Chocolate. So this entire month was Grilled Cheese Month and April 12 was Grilled Cheese Day. Would hate to end the month without a nod to my favorite comfort food--Grilled Cheese. So here you have the Grilled Cheese + Chocolate Sandwich.

Bread, Butter, Cheese, Chocolate--and Orange Marmalade! What could be better?

I love my Panini Press, but this sandwich should be made on the stove in an iron skillet. My mother used to make her fabulous grilled cheese sandwiches in an old iron skillet with the top of a small iron lid pressing down on the sandwiches. Both were inherited from my grandmother. I have the lid (with a 1940s era blue handle), but not the original skillet. Interesting what we hold on to.

This recipe is great for Sunday Brunch. Just add a bar of chocolate, some cheese--and place in between buttered challah or another soft bread--and make it in a big skillet. Reduce amounts if it's only two of you. Try this recipe today to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Month.

Grilled Cheese, Chocolate, & Marmalade Sandwich

Ingredients
6 ounces Mascarpone
2 Tbsp Orange Marmalade (or try a hot pepper orange marmalade!)
2 Tbsp Butter (room temperature)
8 slices Challah or Brioche (sandwich size)
8 ounces Brie (sliced 1/4 inch thick)
14 ounces Dark Chocolate (65-75% cacao, fair-trade, organic), chopped

Directions
Combine orange marmalade and mascarpone.
Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices, buttered side down on work surface.
Spread mascarpone mixture on bread.
Place brie slices over mixture and sprinkle with chocolate chunks.
Top with remaining slices of bread, buttered side up.
Heat large skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes.
Put sandwiches in pan, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Watch carefully.
Turn sandwiches, pressing each firmly with spatula or heavy pot lid (smaller than the skillet).
Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until undersides are browned.
Remove cover, turn sandwiches over and press firmly with spatula or pot lid again.
Cook until cheese has melted completely.
Remove from pan and let cool 2-3 minutes.

Photo: SantaCruzArt at Etsy.com.  (There's also a great Chocolate Chip painting!)