This isn't the soup and sandwich you had as a kid; this week, we're putting an elevated twist on an all-American lunch standard.
Consommé is a classic technique where we will make a very concentrated and flavorful broth, then clarify it using egg whites. This process yields a crystal clear broth with incredible flavor. Often thought to be a difficult process, we will show you how to easily and quickly make the most delicious consommé you've ever had.
We're going to pair our consommé with a grilled cheese layered with flavor. We'll show you how to let a few fantastic ingredients shine through in this elevated classic.
Ingredients
4 slices Sourdough bread
1 bag Chicken stock
2 oz Dried porcini mushrooms
3 oz Wagon Wheel
1 Onion
5 sprigs of Thyme
3 oz Mozzarella
Carrots
½ tbsp Black Pepper
1 jar Caramelized Onion Truffle Spread
Leeks
1 cluster Beech Mushrooms
2 oz Butter
½ tbs Balinese Truffle Salt
1 Bay leaf
1 Garlic clove
1 oz Parmesan rind
1 tbsp Sherry vinegar
8 oz Egg whites
8 cups Water
Directions
Prep The Night Before
Wash, peel, and dice the carrots, leeks, and the onion.
Place diced vegetables in a large pot. Add the bag of dried porcini mushrooms, thyme, black pepper, bay leaf, garlic, and parmesan rind.
Add all of the stock and 2 quarts of water.
Place the pot on the stove, bring it up to a simmer, and gently simmer for one hour.
Strain the broth with the fine strainer into a large bowl, taste it, and realize you’re a rockstar.
Cover and put it into the refrigerator until tomorrow. You should have 6 cups of finished broth.
Prep
Preheat the oven to 425F
Take your porcini mushroom broth out of the fridge and place it on the stove. Bring it up to a simmer.
Grate the Wagon Wheel and mozzarella cheeses, and mix them together in a medium mixing bowl.
Cut the caps off of the beech mushrooms, and dice the stems.
To form the grilled cheese sandwiches, lay out two slices of bread and spread half of the caramelized onion truffle spread between the two slices. Lay half of the graded cheese mixture one one slice of bread, and place the other slice on top. Repeat for the second sandwich.
How to Cook
Place the egg whites in the large bowl, and whisk until the mixture is light and frothy.
Slowly pour the hot broth over the egg whites while whisking.
Transfer the mixture back into the large pot and bring back to a simmer on medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
Wash the large pot, place the colander inside, and line the colander with a damp tea towel. Pour the consommé over the tea towel to drain. Remove the tea towel and discard the cooked egg whites.
Clean the large pot and place the consommé inside. Season with Balinese Truffle Salt and sherry vinegar.
Place pot on medium heat, bring to a simmer and add the beech mushrooms. Keep warm.
To cook the grilled cheese, heat half the butter in the large pan until foamy. Add the grilled cheese sandwich and lightly press with the smaller pan and a piece of aluminum foil in between.
Cook until golden brown, flip, and cook until golden brown on the other side. Repeat with sandwich #2.
Just before serving, place grilled cheese sandwiches on a sheet pan with aluminum foil and heat in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes.
Ladle hot consommé into your favorite bowl, cut grilled cheese in half, and absolutely lose your mind over the stringy cheese that has changed the culinary world as you know it.