Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Gouda and Roasted Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 4 slices rustic sourdough bread
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup Gouda cheese, grated
• 1 cup mushrooms (cremini or portobello), sliced
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 Prise salt (to taste)
• 1 Prise pepper (to taste)
• 1 Prise fresh thyme leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a baking sheet, toss the sliced mushrooms and onions with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread them out in a single layer and roast for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway, until they are tender and caramelized. Remove from the oven and set aside.
2. While the mushrooms and onions are roasting, spread the softened butter evenly on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
3. Place two slices of bread butter-side down in a skillet over medium heat. Layer a generous amount of Gouda cheese on each slice. Top with the roasted mushroom and onion mixture, then add an additional layer of Gouda cheese on top before finishing with the remaining bread slices, butter-side up.
4. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side, until the bread is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the sandwich and grill the other side for another 3-4 minutes, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even browning and melting of the cheese.
5. Once both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwich from the skillet. Let it sit for a minute before slicing in half.
6. Optionally, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top for added aroma and flavor.