• Yield: Makes 4 servings


Slices of crisp fall apples and fresh basil leaves lend a whiff of the season to this classic sandwich.

  • 8 slices Basic Home-Baked Bread, white or wheat, or good-quality store-bought

  • 8 thin slices extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

  • 1 Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced

  • 4 large fresh basil leaves

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

Arrange 4 of the bread slices on a work surface and place a slice of cheese on each. Top each evenly with the apple slices and a basil leaf. Top with the remaining cheese and the remaining 4 slices of bread.

Spread both sides of each sandwich with a little butter. Preheat a skillet, griddle, or panini press over medium heat. Toast the sandwiches over medium heat until golden and the cheese is melted, about 1 minute per side. Cut on the diagonal and serve.

To be served with: Easy Cream of Tomato Soup


Reprinted from The Soup & Bread Cookbook, by Beatrice Ojakangas.