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.
magnoliasouth
This kind of reminds me of the grilled turkey artichoke panini at Panera’s. Man that’s my favorite sandwich they make there. The only difference is that they add turkey and I’ve always kind of wondered what all they put on it. I’m willing to bet this is near exactly the same. Many MANY thanks for sharing this. I think I’ve hit upon what we’re having for dinner tonight. I’ll serve this plus a caprese salad. YUM!
Kate
To add more cheesy crunchy goodness on the outside of the sandwich, you can do the following: instead of melting the butter in the pan, you can butter the outsides of the bread, and generously sprinkle with parmesan and press it on (a spatula works good for this) to make it stick to the butter, then grill and go to cheesy heaven !