I’m not much for celebrating national food holidays. It seems like everyday there’s sooooomething.
We could get tipsy on National Mulled Wine Day… which, strangely, is celebrated on March 3rd. We could bust out a spoon for National Nutella Day. We could get our fingers greasy on National Fried Chicken Day. I’m actually thinking of changing my birthday to May 14th, National Buttermilk Biscuit Day.
Did you know that there’s a National German Chocolate Cake Day? Yea. That’s real. I hope you have your party hats ready.
I know what you’re thinking…when is National Grilled Cheese Day? Surely this perfect food must have a day of remembrance. I’ll tell you what… grilled cheese is so special that it has, not just a day, but an entire month of celebrating!
This is something I can get behind. All in!
I want this grilled cheese sandwich to taste exactly like Spinach Artichoke Dip smashed between two buttery slices of bread! Oh. Heck. Yes.
For the filling we’re going to combine canned artichoke hearts, spinach, garlic, a white cheddar or jack cheese, and salty parmesan cheese too!
I chopped the artichoke hearts into small bite-sized pieces. The spinach is sautéed with minced garlic until soft. The cheese is chopped. The sour cream is dolloped. We’ll throw in a bit of sriracha for flava’.
It’s time for the smash-bang.
Oooh cream cheese. It’s not as though we don’t have enough creamy and cheesy elements in this sandwich with the cheddar, Parmesan, and sour cream. Let’s throw in one more for good measure.
If it makes you feel any better, the cream cheese is acting as glue in this sandwich. Creamy, delicious glue.
I know you can just feel the crunch. I know you can.
Made for sharing.
You know what I’m about to say. I’m about to go on and on about how delicious this sandwich is. Of course I’m going to say that this sandwich tastes exactly like Spinach and Artichoke Dip smashed between cheesy bread. Of course I’m going to say that the buttery crisp bread pairs perfectly with the creamy,salty artichoke and spinach insides. Of course I’m going to claim that this is perfection. It is.
What I might not tell you is that I ate all four of these sandwich halves. I wanted you to think I had a lunch-mate, but… sadly noooo. Mine all mine. Yea…
Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
makes 2 sandwiches
splash of olive oil
1 small clove garlic
3 cups (or 3 big handfuls) baby spinach
4 slices bread (I used sourdough)
about 2 tablespoons cream cheese
1/3-1/2 cup grated or crumbled jack cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup coarsely chopped canned artichoke hearts, drained
1 heaping tablespoon sour cream
1/2 to 1 teaspoon sriracha
large pinch of sea salt
1 tablespoon butter, for grilling the sandwiches
Sandwiches are very personal so the ingredients above are entirely flexible and up to you!
In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add spinach leaves and saute until wilted. This should happen quickly. Spinach just wilts in a hot pan. Remove spinach from skillet, place in a medium bowl and set aside.
Spread each slice of bread with a bit of cream cheese. You don’t need much. We’re using it as edible sandwich glue.
Squeeze or press as much liquid as possible out of the canned artichoke hearts using a paper towel.
To the bowl of sautéed spinach add, jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped artichoke hearts, sour cream, sriracha, and salt. Stir until combined.
Top two slices of bread with spinach and artichoke filling. Make sandwiches with the two remaining slices of bread.
Heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add sandwiches and grill until each side is golden and the insides are melty warm. Serve immediately.
Quinn Cooper
My mouth is watering right now for this sandwich and its only 7am where I am. I mean, who doesn’t love a good artichoke dip, and now you are making it into a sandwich, I mean come on.
Just doesn’t get any better!
xo Quinn
Quinn Cooper Style
Suze Jones
I’m reading this post, and drooling over the pics, while eating plain hot-water porridge. It’s helping. Thanks Joy!
joythebaker
i’m happy to be of any assistance.
Lexi {Whisking It}
I am definitely gonna do a couple grilled cheese’s this month. There are few simple things in this world that are as delicious as a grilled cheese sandwich :) Except here in South Africa we call them “toasted cheese” :D
robyn
I love the dip…So would love this!
Kristina
OMG! I am in Japan and I am missing bread and cheese so much, I will have this for an entire week when I get back!!
Jen @ Savory Simple
What a brilliant way to do mac & cheese!
Jayne
Hah… I wouldn’t have shared them with anyone too. I didn’t know there was a whole month dedicated to cheesy sandwiches. Off to do my part!
Miss Kim
Lol nice bite mark on the sandwich. I should make this one for the next “family meal” at work. It’s quick, easy, and looks so tasty.
BS' in the Kitchen
Glad to see you’re celebrating NGCM! You’ll have to stop by BS’ in the Kitchen, we are posting a new grilled cheese every day this month! In the meantime, check out this dramatic grilled cheese video trailer i created http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcCN4do7pJw
Love the blog,
Bob from BS’ in the Kitchen
Christina @ The Pastry Posts
OMG. I want this right now!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
A perfect dip, in sandwich form!! Yum :)
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I love Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Dont leave me alone with it. I will take down the whole container! I can happily make a meal out of that dip :) And I know I’d love this grilled cheese!
And not sure if you’ve changed your camera, lens, settings in general, editing, post-processing, etc…but your pics in this post (and in the recent half dozen or so) are just tack-sharp mindblowingly clear. Gorgeous!!
Sarah
On behalf of all consumers of grilled cheese everywhere, I would like to congratulate and thank you for all the hard work that you have done to further our gooey cause.
You are a tower of cheesy strength, and we support your bid for a grilled cheese month.
Sincerely,
World Grilled Cheese Community.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I need this grilled cheese in my life, stat!
Lauren
YUM! Yes, I can get behind that too :)