Grilled Cheese Recipe: Pea Shoots and Mayo-Crisped Bread
Pea shoots in a grilled cheese. Not lettuce, not spinach, not arugula. Pea shoots. They are tender and sweet and taste like spring, and they wilt just enough inside a hot sandwich to stay green without going limp.
- 2 slices sourdough or white bread
- 2 oz (60g) sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, halved
- 1 handful fresh pea shoots
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (for outside of bread)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Spread mayo on the outside of the bread slices.
- Place cheddar cheese and pea shoots between the bread slices.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add garlic cloves.
- Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, flipping once.
The garlic cloves perfume the oil in the skillet, and the sandwich absorbs that flavour from the outside as it cooks. The mayo crisps the b The pea shoots are barely cooked, still bright green and sweet against the sharp, melted cheddar. It tastes like spring got folded into a grilled cheese.
Use mayo instead of butter on the outside
Spread a thin layer of mayo on the outside of each bread slice. It browns more evenly and produces a crispier, thinner crust than butter.
The mayo should be spread edge to edge. Missed spots stay pale while the rest of the bread browns.
Heat garlic cloves in the skillet first
Add whole or halved garlic cloves to the skillet over medium heat before placing the sandwich. Let them sizzle for thirty seconds.
The garlic flavours the oil in the pan. The sandwich absorbs the garlic flavour from the outside. Remove the cloves before they burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are pea shoots?
The young tendrils and leaves of pea plants. They are tender, sweet, and taste faintly like peas. Find them at farmers markets or Asian grocery stores. Baby spinach is the closest substitute.
What kind of cheddar?
Sharp cheddar melts well and has the strongest flavour. A thick slice, not shredded. Shredded cheese melts unevenly.
Can I use butter instead of mayo?
Yes. The sandwich will taste slightly different. Butter produces a richer flavour. Mayo produces a crispier, more even crust.
