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Grilled Cheese and Pickle Panini

September 7, 2011

I take absolutely no credit for the creation of this recipe. I have never heard of anyone eating it before (or seen it on a menu, so please feel free to tell me if you have). The idea was all my kids'.

We often buy hearty whole grain sour dough bread and sharp cheddar cheese at the farmers' market with which we use to make, among other things, paninis. Sometimes we'll add a slice of heirloom tomato or avocado to jazz them up, but last weekend Kenya asked if we could just use pickles. Pickles. Not as a garnish to accompany the tomato and avocado, mind you, but as the sole co-star to the cheese. It sounded so silly that we all (even Kenya) started giggling, "grilled cheese and pickle?" But then Chloe started chanting for it too. Never one to ignore a culinary request, especially one from my kids, I thinly sliced a bunch of kosher dills and started assembling the sandwich.

Well, my munchkins are definitely on to something. Who knew you could up the ante on the classic grilled cheese -- a sandwich already bordering on perfection -- but three days in a row later, the Grilled Cheese and Pickle Panini has become a new lunchtime favorite in our house.

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Grilled Cheese and Pickle Panini  (Serves 2)

  • Prep Time:2 minutes,
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes,
  • Total Time: 5 minutes,

Ingredients

  • 4 slices whole wheat bread (or your favorite sandwich bread)
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese
  • 2 pickles, thinly sliced lengthwise

Preparation

  1. 1. Preheat panini maker (this can also be made in a saute pan).
  2. 2. Place a slice of cheese on one slice of bread and cover with a layer of sliced pickles.
  3. 3. Place another slice of cheese on top of the pickles and cover with a slice of bread.
  4. 4. Continue making the second panini.
  5. 5. Place sammies in the panini maker and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  6. 6. Slice panini in half or on a diagonal to make triangles and serve.
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Comments






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  3. Lindsey

    January 10, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    Reply

    Ive been eating grilled cheese with pickles for years! My mother would make them when I was younger. Delicious!

  4. Gary

    November 17, 2011 at 1:30 am

    Reply

    I remember when a college friend of mine suggested this. I thought he was crazy, but then…WOW.

  5. Melanie

    November 8, 2011 at 1:48 am

    Reply

    Wow – brings back memories and an intense urge to eat a sandwich I haven’t had since I was a kid. A little different – but my Mom used to make an opened faced toasted cheese with muenster cheese, mustard, and four dill pickle chips.

    So, so good.

  6. caryleer

    October 22, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    Reply

    I’ve been eating these sandwiched for nearly 6 decades – sometimes I add tomato.

  7. Cheryl

    October 3, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Reply

    My Daughter loves pickles and I cannot wait to try this for her. As another suggestion this Kentucky girl grew up putting slices of ripe tomato on my grilled cheese, it makes a great summer twist on this classic sandwich too!!!

  8. Elizabeth

    September 20, 2011 at 2:14 am

    Reply

    I am already craving certain foods in early pregnancy and have a feeling that grilled cheese and pickles is going to be on the list! In fact, I think I already know what I’m making for lunch tomorrow :) And the bonus is that I’m sure my 2 year old will love it as well! Thank you!!

  9. hillary7511

    September 13, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    Reply

    When I was younger we did cheese and pickle with tortillas instead of bread. Hadn’t had for years till I was pregnant with my son, and then it was one of my weekly/daily cravings.

  10. discountchica

    September 13, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Reply

    I am sitting at work, drooling over this.

  11. Susie

    September 12, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Reply

    I have never eaten a grilled cheese sandwich without pickles, and always dip it in tomato soup. I thought it was normal! Our cafeteria at school ALWAYS served pickles with grilled cheese when I was a kid :)

  12. Sam M

    September 12, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Reply

    We grew up on hamburger dills in our grilled cheese!

  13. blondie

    September 11, 2011 at 6:28 am

    Reply

    We used to serve grilled cheese with pickles at my mom’s cafe…on fresh bread. One man, who was vegetarian, ordered it every time, with a bowl of broccoli and cheese soup! It was like a little bite of heaven…mmm

  14. Jane T

    September 10, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    Reply

    When I make grilled cheese sandwiches, I MUST have a side dish of hamburger dills!!! I can’t even imagine a grilled cheese without the pickles. Yum, Yum!

  15. Raquel

    September 9, 2011 at 10:39 am

    Reply

    I just made this on my little george foreman grill. worked great.

  16. Margaret

    September 8, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    Reply

    I LOVE grilled cheese sandwiches! For the First Thursdays Art Walk here in town I even go to:
    http://www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com
    One of my faves is grilled cheese with pickle AND tomato!
    DELICIOUS!!

  17. Erika E.

    September 8, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Reply

    Any suggestions on a particular brand of panini maker that’s small and does the job? We live in an apartment and don’t have much counter space for the nicer, large ones.

  18. Brenda

    September 7, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    Reply

    How does your mind keep going with new stuff? Well at least your son came up with this one.

  19. Raquel

    September 7, 2011 at 10:29 pm

    Reply

    I am going to try this right now with some fridge pickles I made; I cannot wait!

  20. shannon

    September 7, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Reply

    Do you use dill or sweet pickles? I cant wait to try this on my grandson:)

    • natalie

      September 7, 2011 at 6:16 pm

      Reply

      :: shannon :: i use dill when i make mine.

  21. jamie

    September 7, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Reply

    holy moly! i thot my daughter was the only kid around who loves pickles!! just made this concoction for her recently – except she doesnt even need it grilled. just a slice of cheese (not necessarily cheddar – usually monterey jack by request), and pickles between two slices of plain old whole wheat bread!
    interesting what kids come up with when their imaginations aren’t restricted!

  22. Krissy

    September 7, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    Reply

    These pickle and cheese masterpieces taste good with a little ham, or bacon inside as well. :) I too have been eating pickles and grilled cheeese sandwiches together since childhood and love the combo. You other ladies that enjoy this from the north at all?

    • Chuck

      November 5, 2011 at 5:04 pm

      Reply

      Grade A stuff. I’m unquetosinalby in your debt.

  23. Elesia

    September 7, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Reply

    oh yeah!!!! I used to always add relish to grilled cheese- I am sure pickles toasted inside would be yummy :)

  24. Jessica

    September 7, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Reply

    Mmmm, i’ve been eating grilled cheese and pickle sandwiches for years. Something about the combination of creamy cheese and the crunch of the pickle make it perfect!!

  25. Jenn

    September 7, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    Reply

    When I was a kid my dad used to make grilled cheese with mustard and a sprinkle of oregano on them. YUMMY!

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