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The grilled cheese sandwich is one of the most beloved staples of American comfort cooking. Here, we’re making it incredibly gourmet. Layered with arugula, red onion, melty Fontina cheese and gorgeous heirloom tomato (yours may be either yellow, orange, red or green), these crispy, golden, sourdough sandwiches are exquisitely satisfying. As a side, you’ll be making a tasty summer salad of heirloom tomato wedges and blanched green beans tossed with garlic paste, fresh lemon juice and piquant Dijon mustard.
See PlansWash and dry the fresh produce. Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high. Cut off and discard the stem ends of the green beans; halve the green beans. Peel and mince the garlic; using the flat side of your knife, smash until it resembles a paste (or use a zester). Halve the tomato. Thinly slice 1 half; cut the remaining half into large wedges. Remove and discard the rind of the cheese; thinly slice. Quarter and deseed the lemon. Peel, halve and thinly slice the onion.
Fill a medium bowl with ice water and set aside. Add the green beans to the pot of boiling water. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until bright green and slightly tender. Drain thoroughly and transfer to the bowl of ice water. Let stand until cool, then drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
Place the bread slices on a clean, dry work surface. Divide the cheese between 2 of the bread slices. Top with the sliced tomato; season with salt and pepper. Top with some of the onion (you will have extra) and the arugula. Complete the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices.
In a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium until hot. Add the sandwiches. Cook 4 to 6 minutes on the first side. (If the pan seems dry, add an additional teaspoon of olive oil.) Carefully flip the sandwiches. Cook 4 to 6 minutes on the second side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, combine the blanched green beans, tomato wedges, garlic paste, mustard, the juice of 2 lemon wedges and as much of the remaining onion as you’d like. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to coat; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cut the cooked sandwiches in half diagonally. Divide the sliced sandwiches and dressed vegetables between 2 plates. Garnish with the remaining lemon wedges, if you'd like. Enjoy!
Tips from Home Chefs