Grilled Cheese And Butternut Squash Soup: A Perfect Pairing

Butternut squash soup is a hearty, creamy dish that is perfect for autumn. The soup is often seasoned with spices like ginger, cumin, and turmeric, giving it an earthy, slightly sweet flavor. To elevate the soup, it is commonly paired with grilled cheese sandwiches, which provide a crunchy and indulgent contrast to the velvety soup. The type of cheese used in the sandwich can vary, but some popular choices include fontina, cheddar, gouda, and gruyere. These sandwiches are typically made with Italian or sourdough bread and grilled with butter until golden brown and crispy. The combination of the sweet and savory flavors in the soup and the melted, cheesy sandwich creates a comforting and satisfying meal.

Butternut squash soup and grilled cheese is a comforting and hearty dish for autumn

The key to a delicious grilled cheese sandwich is, of course, the cheese. For a classic take on this comfort food, opt for fontina, which melts beautifully and pairs wonderfully with the soup. You can also experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or gruyere for a more sophisticated flavour profile. To elevate the sandwich even further, try adding apple slices for a refreshing crunch or apple butter for a sweet and tangy twist.

When preparing the butternut squash soup, roasting the squash and apples with herbs like sage gives the dish a deeper, slightly smoky flavour. The addition of apples also contributes a subtle sweetness that enhances the overall taste experience. For a creamy texture, blend the roasted ingredients with chicken or vegetable broth.

To make the grilled cheese, start by spreading a mixture of butter and rosemary on the outside of each slice of bread. For the cheese, a combination of white cheddar and smoked gouda is a delightful choice. Assemble the sandwich, adding a sprinkle of pepper to taste. Cook the sandwich in a skillet until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted to perfection.

Serve the soup with a drizzle of heavy cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Pair it with the grilled cheese sandwich for a satisfying and heartwarming autumn meal. This dish is sure to become a seasonal favourite, bringing comfort and warmth to chilly autumn evenings.

Fontina cheese is a good choice for grilled cheese to pair with butternut squash soup

Fontina cheese is a good choice for a grilled cheese sandwich to pair with butternut squash soup. Fontina is a mild, quick-melting cheese that goes well with pears, apples, and bacon, all of which are popular additions to grilled cheese sandwiches. The addition of fresh fruit to a grilled cheese sandwich gives it a fancy feel, and the sweetness of the fruit pairs well with the savoury, cheesy sandwich and the creamy butternut squash soup.

Fontina cheese is also a favourite of celebrity chef Anne Burrell, who includes it in her recipe for Fontina Apple Grilled Cheese with Butternut Squash Soup. In this recipe, the cheese is paired with Gala apples, bacon, and rustic seeded rye bread. The apples are peeled, thinly sliced, and cooked in butter before being added to the sandwich, giving them a golden and softened texture. The sandwiches are grilled on a preheated griddle with butter and served with the soup.

Another recipe, for a Pear and Fontina Grilled Cheese, also includes the option of substituting the pear with apple. This recipe also includes the option of substituting the fontina cheese with Swiss, provolone, or brie, showing its versatility. The addition of fresh fruit to the grilled cheese sandwich adds a nice contrast to the usual tomato soup that is served with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Fontina cheese is also recommended by Pasquale Sciarappa, who states that it "melts perfectly and the flavour pairs well with soups". They also recommend using thyme and sage, as these herbs add a subtle, savoury note to the soup.

Apple slices in grilled cheese add a crunch and go well with butternut squash soup

When making an apple grilled cheese sandwich, it is recommended to use red apples, such as Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, or Gala, as they caramelize more efficiently and take on the flavour of maple syrup better than green apples. You can also caramelize the apples with brown sugar, but maple syrup adds a glossy, syrupy texture to the apples. Sourdough bread works well for this sandwich because it is firm and can contain the soft filling. A sharp cheddar is a classic pairing with apple, especially sweet varieties. Blue cheese also works beautifully with apple, offering a sharp contrast from the sweetness.

Apple grilled cheese sandwiches are a great pairing with butternut squash soup. The creamy, slightly sweet squash soup and the savoury, cheesy grilled cheese complement each other perfectly, making for a satisfying and heartwarming fall meal. Butternut squash soup is a great source of beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A, which is an anti-inflammatory vitamin that can help your antibodies respond to toxins such as a virus.

Butternut squash soup is a good source of beta-carotene and vitamin A

Butternut squash is a type of winter squash with a mild, sweet, and slightly nutty flavour. Its orange flesh is firm and hard, and the vegetable is shaped almost like an elongated pear. It is commonly roasted or baked and is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes.

When paired with grilled cheese, butternut squash soup becomes a comforting and hearty meal. The creamy and slightly sweet soup is complemented by the savoury, cheesy grilled cheese. Fontina cheese is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches as it melts well and pairs excellently with soups. To add a twist to the classic grilled cheese, you can include apple slices or apple butter, which pairs well with the soup and adds a nice crunch.

The butternut squash soup itself is also quite versatile. You can add various spices like ginger, cumin, and turmeric for extra warmth, or keep it simple with just a touch of cream. No matter your preference, the grilled cheese and soup combination is a satisfying and heartwarming meal, perfect for the autumn and winter seasons.

Smoked gouda and white cheddar grilled cheese is a grown-up grilled cheese to go with butternut squash soup

Smoked gouda and white cheddar grilled cheese is a sophisticated take on the classic comfort food, grilled cheese. The addition of smoked gouda adds a subtle smokiness that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of butternut squash soup. The white cheddar brings a sharp, tangy flavour to the sandwich, creating a complex and savoury bite.

This grown-up grilled cheese is an ideal companion to the creamy, slightly sweet butternut squash soup. The smokiness of the gouda enhances the earthy, autumnal flavours of the soup, while the sharpness of the cheddar provides a pleasing contrast to the soup's velvety texture.

To elevate this grilled cheese even further, consider adding some fresh herbs. Rosemary, in particular, pairs exceptionally well with smoked gouda, adding a fragrant, piney note to the sandwich. Thyme and sage are also excellent choices, as they complement the overall flavour profile of the dish.

When preparing this grilled cheese, it's essential to use high-quality, freshly baked bread. Sourdough or Italian bread are excellent choices, providing a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. For the best results, spread the outside of the bread with a mixture of butter and rosemary before grilling. This adds a delightful aroma and flavour to the sandwich.

The combination of smoked gouda, white cheddar, and butternut squash soup creates a sophisticated and indulgent dining experience. It's a perfect option for a comforting autumn meal or a starter during the holidays. The flavours and textures of this pairing showcase a unique and elegant twist on the classic grilled cheese and soup combination.

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