Lifestyle
Toasted cheese with pear, caramelised onion & avocado
This pear, avocado, and grilled cheese with caramelised onions is the ultimate sandwich, perfectly blending sweet and salty.
Looking for a delicious way to kick off your Meat-Free Monday? This gourmet twist on a classic grilled cheese combines the creamy goodness of melted cheese with the sweet depth of caramelised onions, the crisp freshness of juicy pear slices, and the buttery richness of ripe avocado. Recipe compliments of The South African Avocado Growers’ Association.
Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Ready in: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 slices crusty sourdough or French baguette
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) softened butter
- 1 small ripe pear, cored and sliced
- 250-500 ml (1-2 cups) good quality hard cheese such as Cheddar or Gruyere, grated
- 150 g caramelised onion or store-bought onion marmalade
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled, stoned and sliced
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Spread one side of each slice of bread with softened butter. Lay a few pear slices on top of the bread and cover with grated cheese.
- Place sandwiches on a sheet pan and bake until cheese has melted and golden around edges, about 6 – 8 minutes.
- To serve, top with the avocado slices, remaining pear slices and a dollop of caramelised.
Variations
This sandwich is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit your preferences:
- Cheese varieties: Experiment with different cheeses like Brie, Fontina, or blue cheese.
- Fruits and vegetables: Substitute the pear with apples or figs, and add greens like arugula or spinach.
- Spreads: Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard or pesto on the bread.
- Bread options: Try different types of bread such as brioche, rye, or multigrain.
