Caramelised rosemary pears pair beautifully with molten brie and manchego, while layers of chilli jam and homemade walnut butter add gentle sweetness and heat to the toastie. Served with a sharp, crunchy bitter leaf salad, this is comfort food with a twist.
For the onion crème, heat up a generous dash of oil in a pan. Add the onion and sugar. Cook over a medium low heat for 30-40 minutes until very soft and caramelised. Stir frequently towards the end of cooking to stop it sticking
Add the Calvados to the pan and scrape up any bits of onion from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble away, then then stir through the crème fraîche and season to taste with salt
For the salad, toss the bitter leaves and pickled walnuts with olive oil and vinegar. Season lightly
To assemble the toasties, spread walnut butter on one side of the bread, and chilli jam on the other. Layer the pear, brie and manchego
Close the sandwiches and spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread
Heat a heavy pan over medium-low heat. Add some butter and, once melted, fry the sandwiches until golden and oozing, around 3–4 minutes per side
Cut the toasties in half and plate with the salad and a dollop of onion crème
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