Havarti Caramelized Leek Grilled Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Golden bread layered with melted Havarti and tender caramelized leeks for a rich, comforting vegetarian meal.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - Pinch of salt
05 - Pinch of black pepper

→ Cheese

06 - 4 oz Havarti cheese, sliced

→ Bread & Spreads

07 - 4 slices artisan or sourdough bread
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced leeks, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are soft and caramelized, about 12–15 minutes. Set aside.
02 - Lay out the bread slices. Spread one side of each slice with softened butter.
03 - Place two slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface. Evenly distribute the caramelized leeks on top. Layer with Havarti cheese slices. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
04 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3–4 minutes per side. Press gently with a spatula for even grilling.
05 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve warm.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The leeks become candy sweet and utterly irresistible when given time to caramelize properly
  • Havartis creamy mildness lets the leeks shine while still delivering that perfect cheese pull
02 -
  • Rushing the leeks is the biggest mistake you can make. Let them turn deep brown and sweet for the real magic to happen.
  • Medium low heat is essential for melting the cheese before the bread burns. Patience pays off here every single time.
03 -
  • Clean leeks thoroughly after slicing. Dirt hides between those layers and nothing ruins a sandwich like grit.
  • Let the sandwiches rest for about a minute before slicing. This prevents all that glorious cheese from escaping immediately.
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