Recipe
Blackberry Balsamic & Brie Grilled Cheese
A crisp, buttery grilled cheese filled with molten Brie, sharp blackberry balsamic relish and fresh thyme.
Ingredients
Method
10 mins prep10 mins cook20 mins total
Put the blackberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, half of the thyme and a pinch of salt into a small frying pan. Cook over a medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring gently, until the berries soften and the juices become glossy. Set aside to cool slightly.
Butter one side of each slice of bread. Lay two slices butter-side down and cover with the Brie, leaving a small border around the edge. Spoon over the blackberry mixture, then finish with the remaining thyme and a few grinds of black pepper.
Top with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up, and press gently so the filling is even.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-low heat. Add the sandwiches and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side, turning carefully, until deeply golden and the Brie has melted.
Rest the sandwiches for 1 minute, then cut in half and serve while the cheese is still soft.
Notes
Choose a Brie that melts easily but is not overly runny, so the sandwich is easier to turn.
A little Dijon mustard on the bread adds savoury sharpness if you prefer less sweetness.
The blackberry relish can be made a day ahead and chilled; bring it back towards room temperature before assembling.
About this recipe
This grown-up grilled cheese balances creamy Brie with juicy blackberries, tangy balsamic vinegar and a little honey. The fruit cooks into a quick relish that cuts through the richness of the melted cheese.
Use sturdy sourdough or country bread so the sandwich stays crisp while the Brie melts. It makes an easy lunch or a relaxed savoury-sweet supper.
