Grilled Manchego Sandwiches with Apricot Preserves & Thyme

Who doesn't love a grilled cheese sandwich? This is not your average grilled cheese. I try to eat and cook with non-processed foods, this is a healthier and a  fancier version. It's great for lunch with a small salad or cut into small bites as hors d' oeuvres. It will be an instant crowd pleaser. Make sure to purchase a young aged manchego cheese because it's softer and melts faster. 

ingredients

4 slices of rustic multi-grain bread or your bread of choice 

(sourdough, country, ciabatta, etc)

3 ounces of thinly sliced Spanish manchego cheese (about 1/4" inch thick)

1-2 tablespoons apricot preserve

1/2 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves 

Butter at room temperature, I used French or Irish Butter 

preparation

Take one slice of the bread. 

Spread a thin layer of apricot preserve on each slice

Take other slice and place cut or broken up manchego cheese and make sure to cover entire face

Sprinkle thyme leaves over cheese

Place the slice with the apricot preserve over the cheese slice

Butter the outside of sandwich

Heat your grill pan (I use my Le Crueset square skillet grill) 

Grill for about 5 minutes until pan side is nicely browned

Flip carefully to brown other side

Serve immediately!