Top Chef Recipe- National Grilled Cheese Month

In Honor of National Grilled Cheese Month---Put A Twist on Tradition with This Great Recipe

From Top Chef Ariane Duarte

Somehow nostalgic thoughts of grandma’s grilled cheese with its golden, crusty exterior and over-stuffed with melting, oozing goodness makes the average workday just that much easier to bear. So with that sentiment in mind, cheese enthusiasts have declared April as National Grilled Cheese Month. But instead of the basic grilled cheese, try this recipe that’s a twist on tradition, by Ariane Duarte, of Bravo’s Top Chef and owner/executive chef of the award-winning CulinAriane restaurant.

“I love a great grilled cheese sandwich and I hope you’ll enjoy this “grown-up” version I’ve created using Finlandia Gouda cheese,” says Duarte. “In the recipe, the cheese takes center stage and to achieve its superior taste, creamy texture and excellent melting quality, I insist on using Finlandia® Gouda. It’s the secret to creating the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. My signature take on this classic: I add thinly sliced prosciutto with home-made olive tapenade!”

All Finlandia cheeses are all natural, hormone-free and naturally lactose-free. With over 150 years of master cheese making experience, you’ll find robust flavors and superior melting quality in all of their flavors including Swiss, Light Swiss, Muenster, Gouda, Havarti, Double Gloucester, Oltermanni and the newest introduction – Finlandia Lacey Swiss.

So take a tip from Ariane and try this savory recipe for Grilled Cheese with Prosciutto and Olive Tapenade and lose your thoughts in the warmth and goodness of National Cheese Month. For more information as well as additional recipes, be sure to log onto www.finlandiacheese.com.

Prosciutto and Finlandia Grilled Gouda Cheese with Olive Tapenade

Created by Chef Ariane Duarte

Serves 4

¼ lb. imported prosciutto

1 package Finlandia Gouda sliced cheese

8 slices sliced country white bread

4T butter

Olive Tapenade

1c olives (your choice) – pits removed

2 cloves garlic

1t red pepper flake

1T olive oil

1T chopped parsley

Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse about 6 times.

Spread tapenade on all 8 slices of bread. Then add a slice of cheese and a slice of prosciutto to only 4 slices and top with each of the remaining 4 slices.

Melt butter on a griddle and toast “sandwiches” golden brown and until cheese melts.

About Finlandia Cheese, Inc.

Finlandia Cheese, Inc. is a division of Valio USA, a subsidiary of Valio, Ltd., Finland’s largest food company and one of the most dominant forces in the global dairy industry. Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, Finlandia Cheese is the number one imported cheese brand in America. All Finlandia imported cheese is made in Finland from the purest milk in Europe with no added hormones. Milk comes from small dairy farms where the average farm has 20 cows and are treated humanely with regular health screenings. Finlandia’s cheeses are distributed to fine supermarkets and delis nationwide. For more information about Finlandia and its products, visit www.finlandiacheese.com