Kimchi Grilled Cheese

Kimchi Grilled Cheese is one of those fusion Asian-American recipes that everyone loves! A deceptively simple recipe that's perfect for a quick lunch, this one will even have picky kids reaching for kimchi. You can use fancy bread and cheese if you want, but the most classic recipe calls for supermarket white bread and American cheese.

A note on adding the kimchi to the sandwich: This is best with warm kimchi, which will help melt the cheese. No one wants to bite into a hot grilled cheese and find a cold kimchi center! You can heat the kimchi up by briefly frying it in a pan, or in the microwave on bursts of 15 sec. If this isn't possible, even letting the kimchi sit at room temperature for a bit will help.

INGREDIENTS
serves 1

2 slices white sandwich bread
2 slices yellow American cheese
2 Tbsp Red Kettle Kimchi
2 Tbsp mayonnaise or butter

1. In a colander over the sink, briefly drain the kimchi so that most of the liquid is strained out. (This prevents your sandwich from getting soggy later.)

2. Heat up a heavy bottomed nonstick skillet (we like cast iron or carbon steel) on medium heat. The skillet bottom should be completely hot before starting to cook. 

3. While skillet is heating up, spread mayonnaise (or butter) on one side of each slice of bread. We like mayonnaise because it browns quicker and more evenly than butter, but either works fine!

4.  Place bread mayonnaise-side-down on the hot skillet - make sure the heat is at medium or medium-low, otherwise your bread will burn! Add one slice of American cheese to each slice of bread, and toast for 1 minute. The cheese should start to melt.

5. Add the 2 tablespoons of kimchi to one slice of bread, on top of the cheese. Place the other slice cheese-side down on top. Gently press the two slices together so the cheese starts to melt and stick together over the kimchi.

6. Continue toasting for 30 seconds, then flip the sandwich over and toast for another 30 seconds, or until your desired shade of golden-brown.

7. Remove the sandwich with a spatula to a plate, cute into halves and eat! Don't forget to take a photo of your cheese pull!

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