Ingredients:

  • 200 g (7 oz) Fresh Broccoli Florets, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp (15 ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 large clove Garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) Lemon Zest
  • ¼ tsp (1.2 g) Kosher Salt
  • ⅛ tsp (0.6 g) Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 4 slices Sourdough or thick-cut rustic white sandwich bread
  • 170 g (6 oz) Havarti Cheese, shredded or thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp (30 g) Unsalted Butter, softened

Instructions:

  1. Prep the Broccoli: Finely chop the broccoli florets, ensuring the pieces are small enough to sit flat within the sandwich (think rice-sized bits to small peas).
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in the small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant—do not let it burn.
  3. Cook the Broccoli: Add the chopped broccoli, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender-crisp (still bright green with a slight bite).
  4. Finish the Filling: Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the bread.
  5. Butter the Bread: Generously butter one side of each of the four slices of bread. This ensures a deep, golden crust.
  6. Assemble the Sandwich (The Unbuttered Side In): Place two slices of bread, butter-side down, on your work surface.
  7. Layer the Cheese Base: Sprinkle a generous layer of Havarti over the two slices. This cheese layer acts as the glue.
  8. Add the Filling: Distribute the sautéed broccoli mixture evenly over the cheese base.
  9. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining Havarti over the broccoli filling.
  10. Close the Sandwich: Place the remaining two slices of bread on top, butter-side up.
  11. Grill Low and Slow: Heat the large skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwiches carefully into the skillet.
  12. Cook to Perfection: Grill for 3–4 minutes per side. The heat must be low enough to allow the cheese to fully melt before the bread burns. Cook until the bread is deep golden brown and the cheese is visibly oozing slightly from the sides.
  13. Serve: Remove from the pan, slice immediately (preferably diagonally), and enjoy while piping hot.