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TIME/SERVINGS
Total: 15 mins
Active: 15 mins
Makes: 1 sandwich

When it comes to combining fruit and cheese, cheddar and apples are a classic combo. We changed things up a bit by using Asian pears and young Gouda cheese.

What to buy: Asian pears are crunchier and often sweeter than their American counterparts. They can be found at high-end grocery stores and in Asian markets. If you can?t find them, substitute Bosc pears (though they won?t provide the same crunch).

Gouda is a widely available Dutch cheese made from cow?s milk. Use a young Gouda in this recipe so you don?t overwhelm the flavor of the pear. If you are having a hard time finding Gouda, a young Edam or Jack can be substituted.

INGREDIENTS :

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• 2 (1/2-inch-thick, 7 1/2?by?3 1/2?inch-long) slices light rye bread
• 2 ounces thinly sliced young Gouda cheese (aged 1 to 6 months)
• 5 (1/8-inch-thick) slices Asian pear

INSTRUCTIONS :

1. Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Meanwhile, spread butter on 1 side of each slice of bread.
2. Once the pan is warm, add 1 slice of bread buttered side down, then top with 1/2 of the cheese, all of the pear slices, and finally the remaining cheese. Close sandwich with second slice of bread, buttered side up.
3. Cook until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 6 minutes per side.

Beverage pairing: Fran?ois Cotat Sancerre Les Culs de Beaujeu, France. Made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Sancerre wines evince notes of apple and pear with some grassiness and spice. This one, matured in old oak casks, is round and mellow like good Gouda, but has that citric spike to enhance the pears.