Pretzel Crusted Grilled Cheese
June 8, 2018 by Nicole Collins
I've talked to you before about how I find inspiration in the strangest places.
Today's recipe is one of those recipes.
So, I was cleaning out the fridge on trash day this week when I saw some cheese in the drawer with a little blue spot on it. While I was in the cheese drawer grabbing that block of past due pepperjack, I figured I better dig through and make sure there wasn't anything else in there that had met its maker.
That's when I stumbled across an unopened pack of muenster cheese. Now, I buy muenster cheese all of the time. But, for whatever reason, in that moment, I had a playback reel of muenster cheese related childhood memories flash through my brain.
I was first introduced to muenster cheese by my godmother. When I used to go to her house, she'd let me roller skate all over her house, play with her chow chow dogs, and then she'd make me a grilled cheese sandwich with muenster cheese and pretzel sticks on the side.
This was our routine every time we were together. And, I'm sure my mom scolded her every time for letting me roller skate around her house; because, of course, I wanted to roller skate inside of my house when I got home too.
I also remember specifically asking for grilled cheese sandwiches, even though I knew she was already going to make one for me, because I just wanted to ask her to use the “monster” cheese. And, every time, she'd tell me it was muenster cheese. And, I thought she just didn't know how to say monster correctly. It wasn't until years later that I realized she was right all along, and it was actually muenster cheese!
So, as I was having this flashback to fun times with my godmom, the lightbulb went off. And, I had this brilliant idea of a way to pay homage to the treat she used to make me back in the day.
So today, we're making Pretzel Crusted Grilled Cheese!
This sandwich is such a fun way to switch up a tried and true classic. Plus, it's super easy to make!
We have to start by crushing our pretzels in to course crumbs. We want to be able to identify the pretzel coating, so we don't want it finely ground. The best way to go about this is to put some pretzel twists in a plastic freezer bag, and bang them with a heavy skillet, rolling pin, or hammer. (I like to use a hammer, because it's fun!)
Next, we need to assemble our sandwich. It's really tough to do. Put some slices of muenster cheese in between 2 slices of bread. Done. Whew! Glad we got that out of the way! :-)
We're only going to use muenster cheese for this. We don't need any other cheeses. I love muenster, because it's stringy, and melty, and pretty, and just so good. To me, it's kind of like if swiss and cheddar had a baby.
For the bread, you can use whatever kind of sandwich bread you like. I use wheat, because that's what I prefer. But, you can do you on this one. We need to brush the bread with some well beaten egg to act like glue for our pretzel crumbs. Then, we dip the sandwich in the pretzel crumbs, and press them on gently. Next, we toast the sandwich in some melted butter to get the cheese nice and gooey and the pretzels extra crispy. And, that's it!
This is such a fun a whimsical sandwich. You can't help but smile while you're eating it. And, because I have this new obsession with honey mustard and pretzels together, I even had some honey mustard on the side for dipping! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
This sandwich makes me want to grab a pair of roller skates and zip around the house. I'm suddenly 11 years old again in Ms. Pam's house!
I'm sure you guys will feel 20 years younger with one bite of this sammie, too. So, enjoy; and let's eat!
Pretzel Crusted Grilled Cheese Serves: 1 sandwich Print
Ingredients:
2 slices white or wheat sandwich bread
1 egg, beaten well
1 cup pretzels, crushed
2 slices muenster cheese
1 tbsp butter
honey mustard, for serving (optional)
Directions:
Place muenster cheese between 2 slices of bread. Place crushed pretzel crumbs on a plate. Brush one side of the sandwich with beaten egg, and lay it on the pretzel crumbs on the plate, pressing gently to adhere. While the sandwich is still sitting on the pretzel crumbs, brush the other side of the sandwich with beaten egg. Flip the sandwich over to coat the other side in pretzel crumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Heat ½ tbsp butter in a small non stick skillet to medium high heat. When the butter starts to foam, place sandwich in pan for about 5-7 minutes until it starts to brown. Lift the sandwich on a spatula, add the other ½ tbsp of butter, flip the sandwich over, and toast the other side for about another 4-5 mins until browned. Slice in half, and enjoy!
Recipe notes:
*You'll have enough extra beaten egg left over to make a second sandwich if you'd like. You'll need just a few more pretzel crumbs.
*Brushing the egg on helps to control the amount of egg that soaks in to the bread. We don't want to make french toast, but we need the moisture to help the pretzel crumbs adhere. If you don't have a pastry brush, you can dip the bread in a shallow dish of beaten egg. Just don't let it sit in the egg. Dip it quick, and move on to the pretzel crumbs.
*I'm obsessed with the pretzel/honey mustard combo, so I dipped my sammie in some honey mustard sauce.
