This Strawberry Moscato Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich elevates grilled cheese to an entirely new level with strawberries, bacon and tamed jalapenos, sautéed in Moscato wine, with 2 kinds of cheese, and a delicious peach aioli.
And it's the perfect Mother's Day lunch, because well, most moms love wine, strawberries and grilled cheese, of course. I mean, who doesn't love grilled cheese? And what is better than a fancy gourmet grilled cheese for lunch, especially on Mother's Day?! And it's somewhat indulgent, while still mostly healthy. However, I'll warn you - it's not WW friendly.
Originally, I created this recipe for a sandwich competition and named it, "Mother's Little Helper" 🙂 Judges often gravitate towards fun and unique names. But sadly, before I even got to enter it, the contest was discontinued. Obviously I had to change the name because if you search up that name on google, you're not going to get grilled cheese sandwiches. So, I'm happy to be sharing this sandwich, under the pseudonym "Strawberry Moscato Grilled Cheese," with you!
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🥘 Ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need:
- Moscato (D'asti, pink or Rosé)
- bread
- 2 types of cheese (sharp cheddar and brie)
- spinach
- bacon
- strawberries
- peach jam
- mayonnaise
- garlic
- tamed jalapenos
- balsamic reduction (see ingredient link in recipe card)
If you've never had Moscato wine, then you're in for a treat!
💭What is Moscato?
Moscato is a sweet, fizzy white or Rosé wine with a low alcohol content that pairs exquisitely with desserts and appetizers. Moscatos are made from the Muscat grape—a table grape also used for raisins—and typically feature flavors of sweet peach, orange blossom and nectarine. You'll want to use a pink Moscato D'asti or a Moscato Rosé for this recipe. I received a bottle of Moscato D 'asti as a gift years ago and fell in love with it! Moscato D'asti is my favorite type of Moscato.
Like its Moscato parent, Moscato D'asti is sweet but dry and has been cultivated for centuries. ... Such is the versatility of a light and sweet wine. The weather in the Moscato D' Asti growing region is cooler than in the main Moscato areas so this leads to a different tasting wine; lighter, fizzy and sweet. This style is mainly found in the province of Asti, Italy, so naturally it’s called Moscato D'asti. This sweet frizzante bubbly wine has high aromatics and light alcohol level (close to 5-6% ABV). Moscato is also very reasonably priced! It pairs well with cheese, especially brie so it's perfect to serve alongside this grilled cheese. You can read more about Moscato HERE.
🔪 Instructions
Sautée strawberries, bacon and jalapenos in a non-stick frying with Moscato on med-high for 10 minutes or until alcohol evaporates. If all liquid has not evaporated, drain off excess. Set aside.
📖 Variations
As I mentioned above, you can use Moscato Rosé because Moscato D'asti is a little harder to find, 'round here anyway. My husband couldn't find it when I sent him out to look for it. But if you go to most specialty wine stores, you'll find it there (he was in a hurry so went to the grocery store liquor store). You can use another type of Rosé wine to make this sandwich as well. You could also use other types of cheeses, although Brie is ideal with Moscato. However, blue cheese, goat cheese and parmesan also pair well with Moscato.
So if you're looking for unique gourmet grilled cheese ideas, This Strawberry Moscata Grilled cheese is for you!
Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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📋 Strawberry Moscato Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Peach Cosmo aioli
- 1 tablespoon peach jam
- 11/2 tablespoon mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon teaspoon lime zest
- ¼ teaspoon minced garlic
Strawberry Moscato Sautée
- ¼ cup Moscato D’Asti, Moscato Rosé or Pink Moscato *can substitute another type of Rosé
- ¾ cup fresh strawberries hulled and halved
- 2 tablespoon deli sliced tamed jalapenos cut in half
- ⅓ cup coooked bacon, chopped in ½ inch pieces * I use pre-cooked from Costco and cook it in the microwave
- ½ teaspoon reduced balsamic vinegar, drizzled
Sandwich
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine approximately
- 4 pieces light rye bread * you could use any bread you prefer
- 2 ounces brie cheese (small wheel, sliced in 4, then in half) - use 2 halves * you will have some leftover
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- ¾ cup baby spinach
Instructions
- **Step by step photo instructions in post
Peach Cosmo Aioli
- Mix ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
Strawberry Bacon Moscato
- In non-stick frying pan, sautée strawberries, bacon and jalapenos in Moscato on med-high for 10 minutes or until alcohol evaporates. If all liquid has not evaporated, drain off excess. Set aside.
Assembly
- Butter all sides of bread then cook on one side.
- Remove and spread aioli on (cooked) inside pieces of bread (only 1 side per sandwich, dividing evenly between both pieces of bread.
- Add grated cheddar cheese to one side of the bread, then add strawberry sautée, then add brie, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar reduction, then add spinach.
- Put the side of the bread with aioli and top of the side of the bread with the toppings and cheese.
- Return to pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly brown and turn down to low and cover to melt.
Garnish:
- Garnish with strawberries and serve with additional Moscato in a wine glass.
NANCY
this sounds so interesting witht the strawberry and cheese!!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Nancy! They go really well together!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
What a unique gourmet grilled cheese. I can almost taste to sweet, savoury, spicy flavour combination .
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Cindy! The flavors really do work really well together!
Bernice Hill
So many flavours going on here. Looks nice and messy too...just the way grilled cheese should be. I hope my boys make me something like this for Mother's Day.
Terri Gilson
I hope they do make it for you, Bernice! 🙂 Enjoy your Mother's Day1
amyg
Um what? Yaaa, of course moms like moscato and grilled cheese. What a great combination for a treat and comforting meal. Thanks for sharing this idea.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Amy!
Colleen
What a way to take a humble grill cheese and turn it totally gourmet! This sandwich has everything going on and I think any mom will love it!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Collen! Yes, I'm hoping that lots of Moms get this made for them on Mother's Day!
Joss
I had to read the title of this recipe twice. This is an incredibly unique and elevated grilled cheese sandwich! Mother's Day lunch, here we come!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Joss!