Elevate your grilled cheese experience with our Seafood Grilled Cheese, a sumptuous blend of creamy cheese and savory seafood. Perfect for a quick lunch or a gourmet twist on a comfort food classic, this sandwich is sure to delight seafood lovers and grilled cheese aficionados alike. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- 8 slices of sourdough or artisan bread
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 pound lump crab meat, drained and picked over for shells
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
Directions
- Prepare the Seafood Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped shrimp, crab meat, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, green onions, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out the bread slices on a clean surface. Divide the seafood mixture evenly among 4 of the slices, spreading it out to cover the bread. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the seafood mixture. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
- Butter the Bread: Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich, covering both the top and bottom slices of bread.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for a minute before slicing in half. Serve hot with a side of coleslaw, a simple salad, or your favorite soup.
How to Prepare
The secret to a perfect Seafood Grilled Cheese lies in the balance of flavors and the proper grilling technique. Using a combination of cheddar and mozzarella ensures a creamy, melty interior. The seafood mixture adds a delightful savory taste with a hint of freshness from the lemon juice and green onions. Grilling the sandwiches over medium heat allows the bread to become golden and crispy while the cheese melts perfectly.
Preparation Time
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: About 25 minutes
Servings
This recipe makes 4 sandwiches.
FAQs
- Can I use other types of seafood? Yes, you can substitute or add other seafood like scallops, lobster, or even canned tuna.
- What type of cheese works best? A mix of sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella provides a great balance of flavor and meltiness, but you can experiment with other cheeses like Gouda or Gruyère.
- Can I make this sandwich ahead of time? It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the seafood mixture ahead and refrigerate it until ready to assemble and grill the sandwiches.
- What can I serve with Seafood Grilled Cheese? It pairs wonderfully with coleslaw, a fresh green salad, or a bowl of tomato bisque.
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat to maintain crispiness.