A quick and easy grown-up grilled cheese when nothing else will do. vegetarian
I’m feeling like I’ve finally gotten my head out of the clouds from vacation. But each time I put on Hawaii’s traditional slack key guitar music, I’m whisked back to Kauai, to the places that took my breath away.
I miss the roar of the ocean, the sound of wild rooster calling, and walks on the hidden beach, stopping along the way to watch Laysan Albatross pair bond. Did you know they mate for life and can live upwards of 60+ years? They’re also endangered.
All these sights and sounds haunt me.
I’m incredibly grateful for these experiences and others that allow for respite, reflection and immersion in nature. Grateful quiet, open spaces still exist.
If you’ve been following Vanilla And Bean, it may seem like Rob and I have traveled quite a bit lately. And we have. But three years before Claire passed away, we hardly traveled at all due to her and Kittle’s care-taking. I miss my girls.
More travels are yet to come, but it’s hard to want to go anywhere else when the places we’ve been had such a profound impact. We want to go back again and again.
Another such place we recently traveled to and hope to go back again, inspired this Almond-Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Gruyere. On our trip to San Francisco and environs last Fall, we stopped at the famed Tartine Bakery. Have you been? One bite of this sandwich and I knew, I had to share it with y’all.
Like all grilled cheese, it’s a snap to make. I can imagine making this for a quick weeknight dinner, served alongside tomato soup or serving a pile of these shared with friends!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for This Grilled Cheese
Simple ingredients come together to make a mouthwatering sandwich. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Almonds
- Fresh Sage
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Olive Oil
- Shredded Gruyere
- Sourdough Bread
- Butter
How to Make Almond Sage Grilled Cheese
Break out the food processor to make the pesto, and grab the freshest loaf of sourdough bread, here’s how to whip up this cheesy sandwich:
- First, toast the almonds then, in a food processor whip up the pesto.
- Second, butter two pieces of sourdough, then spread the pesto on both pieces.
- Next, place the bread, butter side down in a hot skillet, sprinkle both pieces with cheese, then lid the pan for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Last, once the cheese is melted, and the bread is toasty, your sandwich is ready!
A Few Recipe Notes
- A perfect partner for this sandwich is Tomato Red Bell Pepper Soup
- The freshest sourdough makes a fabulous sandwich with the crustiest edges and most delicious flavor.
- Make Ahead? Yes please! Whip up the pesto at least three days ahead of when needed. It’s freezer friendly too!
- Not a fan of Gruyere? Try sharp white cheddar!
More Vegetarian Sandwiches to Love
- Pulled Portobello BBQ Sandwiches
- Italian Pressed Sandwich with Olive Tapenade
- Roasted Beet and Sauerkraut Sandwich
- Mushroom Goat Cheese Veggie Panini
- Cheese-less Smashed Pimento Chickpea Sandwich
the recipe
Almond-Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Gruyere
Ingredients
For the Pesto: (Yields 2/3 C or 160g)
- 1/4 C Almonds 50g
- 1 C Fresh Sage 24g
- 3 Cloves of Garlic 16g
- Zest of 1/2 a Lemon
- Juice of 1/2 a Lemon
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/4 C + 3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil 79g
For the Sandwich:
- 1 C Gruyere Cheese Grated, 100g
- Rustic Sourdough Sandwich Bread
- Unsalted Butter
Instructions
For the Pesto:
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Toast the almonds for 7-8 minutes or until toasty and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- In a food processor, add the almonds, sage, garlic, lemon juice, zest and sea salt. Process until small bits form. With the processor running, pour in the olive oil in a steady stream. Process for another 30 seconds or until a chunky paste forms.
- Store in a lidded container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
For the Sandwich:
- Preheat a cast iron skillet on medium low while lightly buttering two slices of bread on one side each. In the skillet, place the butter sides down into the pan and spread about 1 1/2 Tbs of pesto on each side. Divide about 1/3 C (33g) of cheese total, between both slices of bread. With both slices of bread, cheese side up, grill on medium-low with lid on for four minutes (set a timer). Remove from heat and let sit, lid on, for an additional three minutes (again, set a timer) - but check after two minutes just to make sure the toast isn't too toasty!
- Using a spatula, remove each side carefully from the pan and put the sandwich together. Cut and serve immediately.
- If serving a few at the same time, place in a warmed 200F (93C) oven while grilling the other sandwiches.
I made this almond-sage pesto grilled sandwich for dinner last night. My husband I absolutely loved it. Specifically, the almond-sage pesto was wonderful! I do admit that I substituted Flax seed bread for the sourdough that the recipe called for (solely for convenience)–yet the recipe was nonetheless fantastic. I can’t wait to try it with sourdough bread next time. Thanks for a great recipe! :)
Hi Carmen! Thank you so much for your note! I agree, the pesto is just fabulous… I’m dreaming of late summer tomatoes so I can dunk this sandwich in some fresh tomato soup! Thank you for trying the recipe and leaving a comment! I appreciate it! So happy you two are enjoying the recipe!
Having grown up in “The City” of San Francisco, as it’s known to the locals, it is always transforming itself, but what is always consistent is the killer food scene. I used to work at a French bakery called La Patisserie on Union Street when I was young and would eat lunch and dinner everywhere and missed it so when we moved to San Diego. Isn’t travel and food wonderful to recall a time? Love it as I do this sammy. Wow, that stretchy cheese shot at the end had me drooling and I’m just sitting here reading and sipping my morning espresso!
And condolences to Claire too. We lost both our cat and dog on the same day 4 years ago and it took a year to get back into the idea of have “kids” again in our house. BUT Kodi and Oliver (both know 3) are amazing two labradoodles and cheer me up everyday… as does this grilled cheese masterpiece.
Hehe… Thank you Kevin! Oh yessss then you know all about the fabulous food! Tartine was the only place we ate in the city, but oh my how I want to go back and explore SF more! Indeed, food and travel is something I love too! Thank you for your note about Claire. It’s so hard, as you can relate. It’s good though that you have ‘kids’ again. They do enrich our lives… perhaps one day again after we’ve gotten the travel bug out of us. :D
My boyfriend was just in San Francisco for business and he says I would love the food scene there. If this sandwich is any indication, I think he’s right. He may have to go back for business more frequently from now on, so I hope to join him one of these days. But until then, I’ll just have to make this!
Oh Chelsea! The food scene is impressive… but it doesn’t stop in SF. All the way down from Monterey through Big Sur.. it’s soooo good! Perhaps you’ll join him on a few trips and take an extended business trip? I hope you enjoy this Chelsea… it’s pretty tasty! :D
Oh my sweet heavens. This sandwich was made for me! I adore the almond sage pesto. And gruyere is my all-time fav! Pinning!
Hehe! I know, right!? Just a dream! I want to go dig up the whole sage bush at the farm and make a giant batch of this pesto! Can you imagine it on pasta, dolloped on a soup, smeared on a crostini?? It’s sooo good alone, but add that gruyere?! OMGeeee!! Thank you Lauren and for your Pin! :D
Here I was drooling over this sandwich, and then I clicked the link to your post about Claire and proceeded to bawl instead of drool, and then realized that I had originally come to comment on this sandwich post, which then caused me to become a confused mixture of sad and very hungry. LOL Seriously though, this grilled cheese is amazing on so many levels! I love that you used almonds and gruyere to make this, and I love how simple it is. It looks soooo yummy!!! <3
Oh Beeta…. drooling and crying at the same time… I can’t help but laugh! Try this sandwich! You’ll love it! Seriously, though, I know… Sweet Claire. I still cry. I miss her terribly. My eyes are full of tears now, just thinking about our sweet girl.
Wow, after seeing this sandwich I don’t think I could every have a basic grilled cheese again. This recipe looks amazing and I am definitely going to try it. Your photography is stunning. That last shot is making my mouth water! This is my first time visiting your site but I will definitely be coming back for more!
Awh, thank you for your kind words! So happy to have you here! Agreed Fallon. I’m ruined! This one sets the bar much higher in the grilled cheese department! Enjoy my dear!
Traci, this grilled cheese sandwich looks SO good. My goodness, I LOVE the photos, especially the stretchy cheese shot! Like you, I feel like I’m finally starting to get out of winter vacation mode (slowly, but surely).
LOL – that stretchy cheese shot! Gruyere is so good at it! Hehe! I don’t know if I can wait another year for vacation, Lisa! I swear I could just stay on vacation for the rest of my life and be AOK. So glad to hear I’m not the only one struggling! :D
THis sounds absolutely delicious! Not to mention truly stunning photography! I love the idea of switching up the regular ol’ grilled cheese sandwich for something extra special. Yum!
Thank you Stephanie! I feel like grilled cheese is such a blank slate.. so much can be done with it! I hope you enjoy the recipe! :D
I have been to Tartine but I went for breakfast and they didn’t have this on the menu. I had a vegetarian croque monsieur with wild mushrooms…UGH…it was to-die-for. Between that and your stunning pictures, it’s not hard for me to imagine how amazing this sandwich is. I want one so bad!
And I think I’m at the stage with my 13-yr-old pup now that you were at with Claire. I am itching to travel but I’m so afraid to leave her because of how fragile she is. They’re definitely worth the sacrifice but it is nice to have the freedom to get out and explore!
Oh my, a veg croque monsieur with wild mushrooms. OH MY! I need to get to work! OMGeeee! That sounds amazing, Sarah! I’d be in trouble if I lived near Tartine… all those pastries and sandwiches! :D
Oh, your pup… I know, Sarah. It’s so hard. We’d occasionally slip away for no more than a day and a half. We had challenges finding someone willing to care for our fur babies when they were sick due to their medical regimen. And there’s no way I would have boarded them. But indeed, I’m glad we did it for the long haul. It was worth it. Now that they’ve passed we miss them terribly, but the freedom to go when we want is really nice. It’s bitter sweet. I hope you’re able to find a bit of balance. I know it’s hard.
Totes swoonworthy! Sage is such a gorgeous and underused herb :)
Agreed Emma! I want to find more ways to use it. It’s quite delicious! :D
What a great looking sandwich that is Traci! I was of course completely oblivious to the fact that it was an invite only shower! haha I totally crashed it yesterday. ooops! That’s me and social media. :)
I love cheesy sandwiches. Hell we or maybe I should say the Dutch, eat it every single day for breakfast and lunch! I have no clue how they stay fit with so much cheese in their bellies. Another wonderful post! <3
Thank you Rakhee!! LOL on the shower! No worries! The more, the merrier! Social Media is such a mystery, eh? I didn’t know that about the Dutch! Breakfast and lunch! My goodness, I’m with you… all that cheeese!? Thank you my dear! xo
I had a toasted sandwich JUST like this last year (with the addition of roasted brussel sprouts, roast capsicum and walnuts) and it was so insanely good (and so much better than my own homemade toasties) that I have been craving it every cold day since. Yours is the closest I have seen – that thick-cut, golden, crusty sourdough and melty gruyere with homemade pesto seems to be the key to success. SO trying asap, thanks Traci! x
Mmmm roasted brussel sprouts, capsicuma and walnuts! WOW! That does sound insanely good! I can’t wait to see a post on that!! Oh that crusty sourdough and gruyere is spectacular! I hope you enjoy it Claudia! :D
Grilled Cheese is my favorite! I made your version for dinner and I actually ate two! I could have eaten 3 it was so fabulous! Thanks for sharing your talents! I hope you do not mind but I included your sandwich in my “Friday Favorite” link tomorrow? I searched your blog to see if you had a policy and did not find one. I included a link back to your post.
Hooray Elizabeth! Thank you for sharing! TWO – I know, right? They’re soooo good. Thank you for checking for policy.. I appreciate it and you did just what I would do. Thank you for reminding me… this is something I need to add to my policy page! Thank you so much too for sharing on your blog!
Every time I see a grilled cheese sandwich, I’m reminded of my son. He makes me cut the darn crust off!!!!!! Who does that? It’s the best part! But then, I get to eat the crust ;) So, right now, I’m imagining how a crusty grilled cheese would taste with a lemony sage pesto spread. Yum. And gruyere. Even more yum! Scrumptious, Traci!
What? No crust?! Well.. more for you then! Surely he’ll grow into the crust! And until then, you’ll be crust queen! xo
Oh my stars…I had to come look at more porn. This sandwich is beyond. So spectacular!! Beautiful Traci!!! xoxoxo
I dyin over here Rebecca!! LOL!! Thank you my dear! xo
This sounds so yummy and such gooey comfort food on a cold day like today! I also fell in love with maui and Kauai. My two favorite places in the world.
Oh for the love of Hawaii. Mine too, Susan; Maui and Kauai are such special places! Now this sandwich… indeed, on a cold day, just like today! :D
I always love reading your blog and drooling over your pictures, and this post is no different. I have never been to Tartine Bakery, but it has been on my list of places I MUST go before I die. Boy is afraid of flying… so I’m going to have to tranquilize him before we travel to the west coast… or get him drunk. ;) I am swooning over this sammie, Traci! When I saw your IG of this pesto in the works, I knew you had something delicious up your sleeve, but this grilled cheese is OVER THE TOP YUM! LOVING all the flavors, cheese factor and overall scrumptiousness in here! I could easily devour a dozen of these! Pinned! Cheers, my dear! xo
Awh, thank you for your kind words, Chey! Ooooh, you’ll make it to Tartine. A worthy goal indeed. You know you can load him up on bloody mary’s in flight after the preflight stuff has worn off. hehe! Thank you for pinning and good luck working on Boy with flying. That’s a tough one. :(
I love reading your adventurous tales, especially when they result in edible masterpieces like this sandwich! You have done it again! Made me hungry before I’m just barely out of bed! All the recipes for the baby shower are gorgeous!
Oh Annie! Like you, when I travel, I’m always looking for something new and tasty.. Always wondering how something I’ve not tried before will taste… Its so fun! Good Morning Sunshine!!
Omg that grilled cheese looks so legit!! And pesto is my addiction so this sandwich would probably make my head explode haha! Beautiful work as always, Traci! And so happy for Sarah… Who doesn’t love a cheesy celebration?!
LOL – Legit! :D You always make me laugh Alison! LOL! A cheesy cele is good! xo
OMG, I LOVE pesto but I never would have thought to make it with sage! And a fancy grilled cheese is always welcome in my house, Looks amazing,
Oh I know, new to me too, Meghan! I think you’ll like this fancy grilled cheese! :D
TRACI! Oh my gosh you have outdone yourself with this perfectly scrumptious grown-up grilled cheese sandwich. GAH. Those stretchy strings of cheese are killing me! So happy we can celebrate Sarah and her #cheesebabygirl!
Thank you Liz! Lets trade sandwich for cake?! eh? hehe! :D
that last picture…… i can’t even! such cheesy goodness! i’m not usually one for sandwiches, but this is a game changer. and i’ve never thought of putting sage in pesto but i bet it gives a fabulous earthy flavor. cheers to sarah and this #cheesebabyshower!
heheee… Yeah, the sage was a nice surprise for me too. I wouldn’t have thought about it either, but then that Tartine sandwich changed everything!
Traci, my mouth is watering all over again! Fantastic job recreating this beauty of a sandwich (it looks even better than the original as I recall ;o) You really have a talent for conveying the deliciousness factor in your sandwiches. Lovely celebratory post! Being torn between travel destinations is a good problem to have – I feel the same way about restaurants… whenever I have a really good experience, I just want to go back again and again but challenge myself to expand into new territory (well, actually it’s my kids and husband who push me but I’m thankful for it!) x.
Hooray!! So happy I could assist in the mouth-water, Kelly! ha! Good problem, agreed. Ohhhh restaurants. Indeed, good to have someone else make decisions about restaurants.. I get stuck in a rut too. Trying new things stretches our experiences which enrich our lives… See.. Rob and I need to go somewhere new! Thank you for that Kelly! You helped me mull that one over! ha!
This post speaks to me on so many levels, Traci…thank you so much for being a part of the baby shower!! What a wonderful group! Then there’s this sandwich. You pretty much blew Tartine out of the water if you ask me – and I’m a HUGE Tartine fan. Yours just looks better. Just sayin…
Heyyyy Todd! Thank you for stopping by and of course, I’m so happy to be a part of this celebration! Oh Tartine, right? I can’t wait to get back there… I mean, I could spend an entire day there gazing at their pastries, sipping wine and feeding my face! Thank you for your kind words. :D
Oh my gosh Traci LOCKED IN THE BATHROOM????? Hahahahahaa. I can’t believe that story. I’m so glad you made it out alive!!
OMGeeee Karen! I know, right? LOL!! Thank you for another laugh! :D
Crazy cat ladies unite! This grilled cheese is the kind that makes you drool just thinking about it. I haven’t gotten it out of my head since I saw it early this morning! These photos are STUNNING. Thank you so much for making it for my virtual shower and for your sweet words! I’m so glad to have gotten to know you through our blogs and can’t wait to see what else you whip up this year! (PS. When I’m MIA from blogland I miss the fact that you come to SF and I DON’T EVEN TRY TO MEET UP WITH YOU! Come back again and I’ll take you to dinner???)
Awwhhhh, thank you Sarah! You bet! #cheesycatlady . It’s a thing for sure! Oh Sarah.. please don’t worry! You’ve so much going on. Our next trip, we’ll have to hang out! We’ll be back to the Bay Area… we had so much fun, it’s a place hard to resist! I’ll take you up on your dinner offer as long as I can cuddle Arti and Aioli :D (!!). I’ll even put on the frontal baby sling to carry one or the other, if they’ll tolerate me. :D Happy #cheesebabyshower my dear!! xo
I think you just made the grilled cheese of my dreams…so good, Traci!! We always have that inner battle with searching out new places to visit. When the places we’ve been before have been so great, it is hard to want to go somewhere new! But that’s the draw of travel too! A good problem to have I suppose. :) Also, loving the dark in these beautiful photographs!!
So true.. Such a tough decision due to many factors.. but then I think about just having that opportunity to explore a new place.. I try to relax about it. There’s so many beautiful places to visit. A good problem to have, yes! Thank you for your kind words, Tessa! :D
Tartine Bakery, we love it. Theres; one near my place, in the downtown, a hole in the wall kind…But I tell you, one of the best sandwiches I’ve eaten and I go there every week. I know I would love love you sandwich.
Oh myy, I could do with a wonderful sandwich like that my dear Traci.
You have done it again. This looks amazing with all the pesto and the fabulous gruyere. I started loving sandwiches only a few years ago and I know how good this must be .
Glad you get to travel, so much fun. We just booked our China trip in summer, can’t wait.
Great list of bloggers and great food dear. Have a wonderful weekend Traci.
xx
Oh my, so you get to go as often as you like to Tartine!! Oh how I’d love that Asha! I love sandwiches too… so much, but don’t eat them too often. All that bread.. and while I love bread… well, you know! It tends to go straight to places I’d rather it not go!
You’re going to China!? How amazing! I’ve never been, but would love to some day. I can only imagine how excited you must be! There’s nothing as exciting as getting out and exploring the world. xo
Oh my goodness – I would love this for lunch today. What a good looking grilled cheese sandwich! I’ll take 2! Love the addition of pesto – am definitely going to have to try sage soon. Also, a great list of bloggers – I see some new sites I’ve never heard of so will be checking them out. Thanks – XO
OMGeee me too, Geraldine! But I think I’ve eaten too many over the past several days… balance, ya know? Sage was such a nice surprise for me in my narrow pesto world… and now I think it’s just as fabulous as basil or other more well known pestos. Can you imagine the pesto alone, swirled in some butternut mac & cheese? OMGeeee!
YUM. Your grilled cheese looks amazing, and as soon as I get home from work today I’m rushing to the store to get the ingredients to make it!
Hooray! Tina! I hope you love it my dear! :D
Omgggggg TRACI NO WORDS. Except: YES Tartine, omg how have I missed this sandwich there?! (Oh I know, because I’m too busy eyeing the croissants/scones/cookies/cakes…) but seriously, these are some serious sandwich porn shots, just pure sandwich beauty. Like I need to excuse myself and go make myself a grilled cheese ASAP. SUCH a great post for cheese baby!!!
It’s time Erika. Go there, posthaste and order their Sage Pesto Panini. You’ll never want for anything else! :D No doubt, I missed it at first. The sweet lady helping me pointed it out because I was too busy oodling over the crossiants, cakes, cookies, and focaccia pizza OMGeee; heaven!! Sandwich porn ! LOLOLOL…… LOL! :D
Oh mama, gimme one of these!! I’m obsessed with those pesto-ful Tartine sandwiches, and this wintry version looks to-die-for. Also, gimme a holler next time you’re in SF – I want to meet you! -a fellow crazy cheesy cat lady :)
LOL!! Alanna! OMGeeee you’ve had the real deal then! My goodness, I know, right? It’s all about the bread too! I snagged a loaf from Seattle’s Essential Baking Company to make this and it was really really fabulous! Hope to make it to SanFan again as soon as possible… and will give you a shout! I’d love to hang out with you #cheesycatlady! :D
This sandwich is full of wonderful flavors, just perfect! Glad you guys got to travel more lately! Congrats to Sarah!
Surprising flavors, too! I’ve never made sage pesto, but oh wow! I think adding a bit of roast butternut to this would take it even further over the top! Thank you Mira!
OMG Traci! You’re killin’ me with this grilled cheese sandwich! The most PERFECT comfort food EVER!
Heheheee!! No doubt, just when I think grilled cheese couldn’t get any better, I find a new way to make it! OMGeee!!
Ahhhh Traci, that Looks soooooooooooo good! Searching for bread recipes for our friday. My hubby and me are drinking beer and eat together to celebrate the beginn of the Weekend. We will try out this Version for this friday. Kiss kiss kiss xxx Janine
I knew that stretchy cheese would get you my dear Janine! Bread and cheese for Friday. This one is so quick and easy! What a fun way to kick off the weekend! xo
I feel the same way! The Hungryman and I would like to do more traveling, but our black shadow at home begs our utmost attention. And we miss him terribly when we are away as well. I also wouldn’t mind going back to all the places we already visited. New Zealand..was I really there just 2 months ago? It feels like ages ago..In any case, ABSOLUTELY! Let’s go to Korea together ;). It’s going to be sooo much fun! I’m just so thankful to have “met” you, Traci!! Your words are so heartfelt and OMG your photos and recipes!! I mean look at that action shot? I fell in love with grueyere all over again (if that’s even possible!). XOXO
You know, then! Our pets are our furbabies! And of course, they’re spoiled rotten. The world revolves around them ;) . No doubt, I think I’d want to go back to NZ if I ever go! Your IG pics were quite spectacular (I loved following your adventures). OMGeeee I can’t imagine going and seeing Korea with you Min! I’d love to go! What fun! Now, go get that gruyere!! xo