Why you should prepare your next grilled cheese with banana and honey
When you think of a classic cheese sandwich, savory ingredients probably come to mind. But it's worth venturing off the beaten path. The combination of melted cheese and sweet components is no longer a secret in the kitchen.
- 4 slices of sourdough bread or wholemeal bread
- 2 tablespoons of butter (and a little more for frying)
- 4 slices of Gruyère
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 The Honey
- 2 pinches of cinnamon
- salt and pepper
- Generously spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place a slice of Gruyère cheese on the unbuttered side of the first slice.
- Slice the bananas. Arrange the banana slices evenly on the bread so that they cover the cheese layer. Drizzle some honey over the bananas and, if desired, sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon.
- Now place a second slice of Gruyère cheese on top of the banana slices before closing the sandwich with the second slice of bread – the buttered side should be facing outwards.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and place the sandwich in it with a little butter. Fry it for about 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy, then carefully turn it over to grill the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and the cheese melts.
- Take the finished sandwich out of the pan, let it cool briefly and enjoy it warm.
Sweet and salty at the same time: Grilled cheese sandwich with banana and honey
The foundation of a successful sandwich is the right bread. Sourdough bread is particularly well-suited here. The subtle tang of the dough provides a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the banana and honey. Furthermore, a thick slice of sourdough bread offers enough stability to securely enclose the soft filling. For the cheese, Gruyère is the ideal choice. It melts beautifully and forms lovely strings, but above all, it brings a slightly nutty and robust flavor. This harmonizes perfectly with the fruity aromas.
To ensure the sandwich gets a beautifully crispy crust while the cheese inside melts, the right pan temperature is crucial. If you fry the bread over too high a heat, the crust will burn before the Gruyère is melted. Medium heat is ideal. Lightly buttering the outside of the bread slices beforehand will give you an even golden-brown crust. Patience is key here. As soon as the cheese starts to ooze out around the edges and forms small bubbles, the sandwich is ready to be flipped.
This sweet and salty combination works almost any time of day. In the morning, the sandwich provides plenty of energy and goes perfectly with a strong coffee or a freshly squeezed orange juice. If you're planning on having the grilled cheese sandwich with banana and honey as a quick lunch, it's best to serve it with a fresh side salad.
As you can see, a grilled cheese sandwich is always a good idea. Why not also try a blueberry grilled cheese sandwich with mint pesto, a crunchy mini grilled cheese double-decker, or a grilled cheese bagel sandwich with apple?
