Gruyere and Pear Grilled Cheese with Balsamic Reduction

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: grown-ups need kids food too.  Tell me you've never gone to a restaurant and wished you could order from the kids menu, but feared a special form of embarrassment reserved for the unsophisticated.  "Yes, the duck confit with reduction looks quite exquisite, but I think I'd prefer the hot dog bites this evening..."

Well, this grilled cheese allows you indulge your inner child while excreting sophistication out your pores.  Serve as an appetizer or midday snack.  Preferably while wearing a monocle.

Gruyere and Pear Grilled Cheese with Balsamic Reduction Ingredients:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tbs of pear, diced

Plenty (it's a measurement) of gruyere cheese

4 slices of wheat bread

2 tbs unsalted butter

1) Pour the balsamic into a small sauce pan, and simmer until 3/4 of the liquid has evaporated.  Be sure to watch it carefully - if it all evaporates, it'll burn and stick to the saucepan.  Pour the liquid into a small dipping dish and set aside

2) Place half of the butter on a heated skillet until it melts

3) Take two pieces of bread and rub them around until the butter is fully absorbed

4) Cook until the bread is lightly browned, then remove from heat

5) Add the rest of the butter to the skillet until melted, rub the two pieces of bread until the butter is fully absorbed

6) Quickly add the cheese to the bread.  If you like, you can also add two very thin slivers of pear to give the sandwich a bit of a crunch

7) Browned side up, put the previously cooked bread on top of the cheese

8) Cook until the cheese if fully melted, flipping occasionally to keep the bread from burning

9) Remove from heat, and place on a cutting board

10) Slice into 1" squares or strips, and place one small piece of pear on top of each bite

11) Using a spoon, carefully add a drop or two of balsamic reduction on top of each piece of pear.  The bread will absorb the balsamic, making it look like you burned the heck out of it, so ry to limit the amount of reduction on each piece

12) Arrange on a platter with the remaining balsamic reduction on the side for dipping

Your inner child is satiated.  Your grown-up self can stand tall.  Your guests, and your tongue, thank you.

Questions?  Additions?  Comment below, or email CutsEveryday@gmail.com