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The Best Candied Walnut Pesto Grilled Cheese Refresh

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get your creative juices flowing contest announcement
Get your creative juices flowing

Candied Walnut Pesto Grilled Cheese

You all know me by now. I just can’t resist a recipe contest that requires me to think way outside the box. Add in the fact that I am required to use ingredients that I already know and love and I am all in. Ingredients like healthy California walnuts, crisp sweet-tart apples and crunchy celery are already in my fridge and pantry, so let’s get started recreating a something new and different Waldorf salad. Hope you like my Candied Walnut Pesto Grilled Cheese.

California walnuts, apples and celery add healthy crunch
California walnuts, apples and celery add healthy crunch

The Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City is well-known for its luxury accommodations as well as its famous salad. Checking out their restaurant menu the current version of the salad includes apples, candied walnuts and celeriac which got me to thinking how to re-mix, remake and refresh those ingredients into something unexpected and delicious.

The Waldorf Salad Grilled Cheese with Candied Walnut Pesto
sandwich

Like I said you all know me by now, so I bet you’re not surprised I created a fantastic grilled cheese featuring some fresh ingredients. Doesn’t every restaurant menu need the perfect grilled cheese sandwich? Don’t you just love to order that soup and sandwich combo like grilled cheese and tomato soup. It’s such a classic. What makes mine Waldorf Astoria worthy? Without a doubt it is the candied California walnut pesto that makes this “refresh” fantastic.

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Waldorf Salad Grilled Cheese


  • Author: Lisa Keys
  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x
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Description

Everything you love in a Waldorf salad in a smoked gouda and gruyere grilled cheese sandwich


Ingredients

Scale

1 small clove garlic

3/4 cup packed basil leaves

¼ cup fresh celery leaves

2 tablespoons walnut oil

¼ cup California walnuts, toasted

½ teaspoon sugar

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

2 slices firm white bread

1/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese

1 tablespoon finely chopped celery

½ pink lady apple or apple of your choice, thinly sliced

1/3 cup shredded gruyere cheese

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

2 grapes, optional


Instructions

  1. With food processor running drop garlic through feed tube and process until finely minced. Add basil, celery leaves and oil; pulse until combined. Add walnuts, sugar and salt; blend until smooth scraping down sides of bowl, if needed.
  2. Spread candied walnut pesto evenly on 1 side of each bread slice.
  3. On top of the pesto on 1 slice of bread, evenly layer the smoked gouda, celery, apple slices and gruyere.
  4. Cover sandwich with remaining bread slice, pesto side down. Gently press sandwich together.
  5. Spread half of the mayonnaise over top of sandwich and place mayonnaise side down on non-stick griddle. Grill sandwich, over medium-low heat, for 3 minutes or until golden brown.
  6. Spread remaining mayonnaise over bread before flipping to brown the other side.
  7. Sandwich is ready when both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted.
  8. Top with a skewered grapes, if desired.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: sandwich
  • Method: stovetop

Keywords: grilled cheese, waldorf salad, apples, smoked

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag me @goodgriefcook — I can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

PS: For the carnivores in the group…if you must…add some high quality cooked crispy bacon on top of the apples. Or get your own creative juices flowing and refresh your own Waldorf salad.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alice D'Antoni Phillips

    July 12, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    I could dig into this right now! Just so creative and tasty, LIsa! I smell winner winner! <3

    Reply
    • Lisa

      July 12, 2015 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks my sweet friend, but my recipe may be too far out of the box. I vote for your shrimp salad!

      Reply
  2. Ronna F

    July 12, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    I love your entry Lisa!!!!! Good luck!!!!

    Reply
  3. Lisa

    July 13, 2015 at 6:41 am

    thank you, Ronna

    Reply
  4. Betsy

    July 15, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    mmm! I would order that from the menu!!

    Reply
  5. Lisa

    July 15, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    It is a delicious sandwich and thank you for ordering. I will have to make you one!

    Reply

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