Double Decker Cheese Melt Recipes

DOUBLE DECKER TURKEY PATTY MELT

Steps:

• For the spicy mayonnaise: Whisk together the mayonnaise and pickle juice in a small bowl. Add the sriracha, a little at a time, adding more to your taste.
• For the pickle mix: Stir together the chopped pickles and grainy mustard. Set aside.
• For the burgers: Put the meat in a large bowl and spread it all over the bottom and a little up the sides. This will help distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the meat. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Stir in the mayonnaise.
• Test the seasoning by taking a tiny piece of the meat mixture and forming it into a patty. Set a small skillet over medium heat, add a touch of oil and sear the patty on each side. Let cool slightly and taste. If it needs more salt and pepper, add it to the raw mixture. Repeat the test as needed.
• Divide the meat into 8 equal patties (3 ounces each) and roll each into a ball. Place the balls on a clean surface and use the palm of your hand to gently flatten to 3/4-inch thick and 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Alternatively, use a round cookie cutter to mold the burgers into uniform "rounds" by pressing the meat into the mold and making the burgers one by one. Make an indent in the middle of each patty (as the meat cooks the center of the patty will puff up; this will keep the thickness even).
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat and add just enough canola oil to coat the bottom. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the burgers in a single layer with space in between each, cooking in batches if needed. Press the patties down with a metal spatula so they are fairly thin and cook, undisturbed, until the edges brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip using a metal spatula and place a slice of cheese on top of each to melt as the burgers finish cooking. Cook to desired doneness, 3 to 5 minutes longer.
• Place the bun halves on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until light brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Place a dollop of spicy mayonnaise on the bottom halves but don't spread it around. Top with the hamburgers followed by pickle mix, more spicy mayo, and another hamburger. Finish with more pickle mix, spicy mayo and the top buns. Serve immediately.

PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Place the meat on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and, using your hands, break into small pieces and combine evenly. Arrange in a single layer and season the meat with salt and pepper.
• Divide the meat into 6 portions (about 4 ounces each). Using your hands, form each portion into a ball-shape by gently tossing it from one hand to the other. Form each portion into a thin patty (about 1/4-inch). Each patty should be somewhat larger than a slice of the bread (the patty will shrink to the size of the bread when cooked).
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 7 minutes. Transfer the onion to a bowl.
• Wipe out the skillet, return to the heat, and heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add 2 patties and saute, turning once, until well browned and cooked to medium, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining oil and patties.
• Arrange 1/6 of the onion over 1 bread slice. Place 1 cheese slice over the onion and top with a patty. Top the patty with a slice of cheese and cover with a bread slice. Spread about 2 teaspoons of butter over the outside of each slice. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 6 sandwiches.
• Heat the cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sandwiches and cook, turning once, until lightly browned and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining 4 sandwiches. Cut sandwiches in half crosswise and serve.

DOUBLE-DECKER TRUFFLED GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 3 tablespoons butter with 1 teaspoon truffle oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add 2 slices bread, and toast on both sides. Set the toast aside and reserve the skillet.
• Lay out one slice of untoasted bread. Top with one-quarter each of the brie, figs and jack cheese, then a slice of toasted bread, then another layer of brie, figs and jack. Close with a slice of untoasted bread. Repeat to make another double-decker sandwich.
• Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter with the remaining 1 to 2 teaspoons truffle oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and cook until golden on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden on the other side, about 2 more minutes, then transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve with the fig preserves.
• Photograph my Andrew Mccaul