Curtis Stone's grilled cheese sandwiches with tomatoes and pesto

Name: Curtis Stone's grilled cheese sandwiches with tomatoes and pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into 3/4- to 1-inch pieces; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 loaf ciabatta bread; 1 cup pesto; 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, (about 8 ounces); 4 ounces double-cream Brie cheese, rind trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Prep Time10 min
Total Time20 min
Makes6 Servings

Curtis Stone's outdoor grilled cheese sandwiches with tomatoes and pesto recipe Photo by Quentin Bacon

Curtis Stone shares four recipes from his cookbook, What's for Dinner? Delicious Recipes for a Busy Life. You may have never thought of actually firing up an outdoor grill for a grilled cheese, but this sandwich is a perfect balance of char, cheese, tomato and spice.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into 3/4- to 1-inch pieces
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 loaf ciabatta bread
1 cup pesto
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, (about 8 ounces)
4 ounces double-cream Brie cheese, rind trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Instructions

PREPARE an outdoor grill for high cooking over indirect heat. For a gas grill, heat one burner on high and leave the other burner(s) off. For a charcoal grill, build a fire on one side of the charcoal grate, leaving the other side of the grill empty, and let burn just until the coals are covered with white ash. Do not spread out the coals.
MEANWHILE, in a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the sandwiches.
Using a large serrated knife, cut the ciabatta horizontally in half. Spread the pesto over both cut sides of the ciabatta. Top with the Gruyère cheese, followed by the Brie cheese.
PLACE the ciabatta halves over the unlighted (empty) side of the grill. Cook, with the lid closed, for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasty. Transfer to a cutting board.
USING a slotted spoon, scatter the tomatoes in a thick layer over the bottom half of the ciabatta; discard the juices in the bowl. Cover with the top half of the ciabatta, cheese side down, and press gently. Using the serrated knife, cut the sandwich into 6 pieces and serve immediately.

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