Intro

Still half asleep I instinctively rolled over to check the time, fumbling for my phone with my eyes still closed. My near slumber state was rudely interrupted as the numbers on my phone flashed 7:30 am.

In an instant the morning had begun. In a matter of 15 minutes we would have to feed three kids breakfast, find and pack a backpack, select the perfect snack for the day, dress, brush, wash, and put on shoes. If you are a parent you’ll know that sometimes just the act of putting on shoes takes 15 minutes.

Although we typically like to allow for more time in the morning this scenario is not unlike five of the seven days in our week. The topic of weekend breakfasts starts being discussed around Wednesday as we debate pancakes or waffles and what, if any, additions will be present. By Saturday morning we are all relieved to not have to rush through our morning routine.

The way this week has already begun I think it is going to take more than simple pancakes and waffles to ease us into the weekend. It seems this week needs to be capped with something over the top. Like perhaps two slices of thick cut Challah dipped in a French toast-like batter then spread with creamy Mascarpone, topped with pleasantly tart plumped dried apricots and in case that may not be enough, a fine grating of dark chocolate floats on top. Then maybe it’s capped with another piece of bread before hitting a hot gril. When the bread has cooked through and is crisp on top, the cheese has melted and the chocolate succumbs to the heat holding it all together a drift of powder sugar descends and finishes it off.

Yes, I think that would do the weekend quite nicely.

This post was made possible by Wisconsin Cheese. After getting spending way to much time drooling over all the inventive grilled cheese creations on their site we created a video with them (Gabe shot it – they edited) demonstrating how to make this sandwich. Watch it here then enter their contest with your favorite grilled cheese recipe.

Check out the other great grilled cheese recipes from Sara and Kelsey. Of course, leave it to me to add sweetness and chocolate to my grilled cheese. Typical.

 

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Grilled Mascarpone cheese with Apricots and Chocolate

 

This decadent dish is similar to a stuffed french toast teetering the line of eat-with-your-hands or a fork. Either way it’s indulgent and decidedly delicious. Tart, lightly sweet, and showered in dark chocolate – a special way to welcome in those leisurely weekends.

Stewed Apricots


1 cup dried apricots
1 teaspoon orange zest
juice from one large orange
vanilla bean, split down the middle
½ cup water

Combine all the ingredients in a small sauce pan. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cover and continue to simmer until most of the liquid is gone.
Use a wooden spoon to smash and break up the apricots just a bit.
Let cool for about 20 minutes, or until just warm.

Bread Dip


3 eggs
1 cup milk
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Whisk all the ingredients together in a shallow bowl or pie plate.

 

For the sandwich you’ll need:

1 loaf Challah or Brioche cut in 1” slices
1 8oz tub Mascarpone
I recipe stewed apricots
1 recipe bread dip
3 oz dark chocolate
Pre-heat an indoor grill or grill pan.
Quickly dip one slice of bread into the bread dip and let the excess drip off.
Add about 2 Tablespoons Mascarpone to the bread. Top with several pieces of stewed apricots and finish with finely shaved dark chocolate.
Top the sandwich with another piece of bread that has been quickly dipped in the bread dip.
Immediately grill until grill marks form, cheese and chocolate are melted and the bread is cooked through – about 5-7 minutes.
Slice, dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

 

54 Responses to “Grilled Cheese with Mascarpone, apricots and chocolate”

  1. darla

    beautiful bread slices, they look like flowers. yummy… bread flowers with chocolate and cheese! thanks for taking me to this delicious land! 😉

  5. Diana

    that looks amazing! did you make the challah? what kind of chocolate did you use?

    • Ashley Rodriguez

      Diana – I didn’t make the challah – although I wish I could make a loaf as stunning as that one. The chocolate is a 70% bar from our local roaster, Theo.

  8. chefroommate

    Holy Heck – I want to eat this immediately. It’s so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe and photos!

  9. Kelsey

    jaw-droppingly decadent. i love the light in these photos and the film, you guys must have a gorgeous big window where you shoot in the kitchen.

    • Ashley Rodriguez

      Kelsey – Thanks, although I can’t take credit. The images shot for this post were taken at Delancey. I love the light in that place.

  16. Mikaela Cowles

    You are a phone waker-uper too! Sometimes it seems we can never get away/never live without those things. For a 3-4 day debate, I have to say you picked a good Saturday breakfast. What a great combination. Mascarpone and chocolate alone had me drooling. Throw in those apricots and I’m sold!

  18. Colette Lee

    Amazing!! Can’t wait to taste this! My family is gonna love it!! And me for cooking it!! Thanks for sharing!

  21. thelittleloaf

    Lazy Saturday mornings are the absolute best – I would happily whip up a batch of these at the weekend, unless I can persuade my boyfriend to make some for me 🙂

  22. jillian

    Ooh my goodness…mascarpone, challah, and chocolate? Love. And your pictures are just gorgeous.

  23. sara

    the video is simply stunning. the idea is so unique and brilliant, not that I expected anything less from you…the perfect amount of decadence, tastiness and totally special for the weekend. beautiful, friend.

  25. Robert Richards

    Well, now I know I will have to get to the store to get the ingredients for this recipe. Because my friends are coming over this weekend so I have to make this recipe for them. Thanks soo much for this recipe! 🙂

  26. javi

    I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Congrats! Come on by my site for the award and details

  27. Megan Gordon

    I’m always blown away thinking about what I feel like are my own busy days and than what it must be like to have 3 (3!!!) young children. I am really, really humbled — and, I also really love mascarpone and this looks divine. Happy weekend, neighbor.

  30. Charlotte

    Oh wow, what a post! I need this food in my life.

    Totally following you so I don’t miss out on any delicious recipes x

  31. Cookie and Kate

    Ashley, this grilled cheese looks incredible, and beautiful video to boot! I would have traded my lunch of leftovers for one of those sandwiches in a heartbeat.

  36. Batya

    You know, I had never thought to put fruit in with grilled cheese– but just this past weekend I went to Euclid Hall (in Denver, Colorado) and had a camembert grilled cheese with pear puree. It was heavenly. This looks EVER MORE delicious! Cheese, fruit AND chocolate. Yum, yum, yum! Ill be trying it this weekend.

  39. Donna

    I AM STANDING HERE IN UTTER AWE…

    Never…have I seen such brunch-worthy beauty…really.

    My French family will be stunned if I can duplicate your gastronomic perfection…your images are sublime…Time to consider breaking out the Valrhona and a quality Brut champagne…