Sunnys Simple Gochujang Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes

GOCHUJANG GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix Gruyère, white cheddar, fontina cheese, garlic, parsley, gochujang, mayonnaise, and onion in a medium bowl until well combined.
• Heat a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium-high. Fry pancetta until crispy and fat has rendered, 3-5 minutes per side. Wipe out skillet and reserve for sandwiches.
• Spread 1 side of each slice of bread with 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise total (doing this before toasting helps ensure a golden brown and crispy grilled cheese). Flip 2 slices over so mayo side is face down. Divide cheese spread between these 2 slices. Top each slice with a piece of pancetta, half of sliced okra, half of bean sprouts, and a second slice of bread with the mayo on the outside of the sandwich.
• Heat reserved skillet over medium-high. Combine oil and butter, stir until butter is melted, and immediately add sandwiches. Cover skillet with a lid or baking sheet to properly melt cheese; toast until bread is crispy and browned, 3-5 minutes per side. Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.
• Cheese spread can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated.

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH GOCHUJANG GLAZE

Steps:

• For the marinade and chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gochujang, brown sugar, vinegar and gochugaru. Transfer 1/4 cup of the mixture to a zip-top bag holding the chicken. Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Reserve the remaining mixture to make the gochujang glaze (refrigerate if the chicken is marinating overnight).
• In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil until a deep-frying thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
• In a pie dish or shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. In a separate pie dish or shallow bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and self-rising flour. Mix 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk-egg mixture into the flour mixture; lightly whisk to work the buttermilk into the dredge to create little crispy, craggily bits.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Dunk the chicken first in the buttermilk-egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture to coat thoroughly. Working in batches if necessary, gently drop the chicken into the oil. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is 160 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes. (With the carryover time, it should go up to 165 degrees F.)
• For the ginger mayo: Whisk the mayo, ginger, soy sauce and vinegar together.
• To serve: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk the butter into the bowl of the reserved marinade until smooth.
• Spread each bun top with the ginger mayo. Top with some kimchi.
• Toss the chicken in the glaze and place on the bun bottoms. Sprinkle the chicken with sesame seeds. Close the sandwiches.

SUNNY'S OPEN-FACED GRILLED BLT

Steps:

• For the bread: Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Lay out the dough on a work surface and sprinkle with the olive oil, parsley, rosemary, garlic, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Fold it over itself and roll out or just press with your hands to make a square that could fit four slices of bread, because that's the goal. (You will eventually want to cut this into fourths to serve.) Place on the direct heat of the grill and cook until it releases from the grill and is slightly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook until done, 5 to 8 minutes.
• For the bacon: Mix the brown sugar, cayenne pepper, zest and a few grinds of black pepper in a bowl. Press the bacon into this mixture and place on a piece of nonstick aluminum foil on the grill. Cook, without flipping, until the bacon is crispy, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the grill and roughly chop.
• For the tomatoes and lettuce: Brush the tomato slices and lettuce with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the tomatoes and lettuce directly on the grill and cook, flipping halfway through, until the tomatoes and lettuce are slightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Build the sandwiches: Mix the mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice and sriracha seasoning in a small bowl. Chop the grilled tomatoes and lettuce. Add the chopped tomatoes to the bread and press them slightly into the bread, then add the chopped bacon and piles of lettuce. Drizzle with the sriracha mayonnaise. Cut into four pieces and serve.