Brie and Fig Grilled Cheese served with Sweet Potato Fries

I made this dish after eating at Food restaurant in Summit, NJ. I took a friend out for lunch and ordered a brie and fig grilled cheese with sweet potato fries.

Before going there I spoke to the summit patch editor to see if she would be interested in a recipe replication with an article. She was fascinated and said yes.

As I looked through the menu, this particular dish stood out to me. I love sweet flavors mixed in with savory. I also love any kind of fries- especially sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are extremely healthy and I try to incorporate them into my diet as much as I can.

The original dish was good but a bit too rich for my taste. It was clearly cooked it butter and had too much fig jam in it. I started with whole wheat sour dough bread and added a fig compote instead. The fig compote is less sweet and a bit more savory. I also added peppery arugula to the mix.

Overall, I ended up with a delicious, healthy sandwich and fries. I of course made the sweet potato fries in the oven and added my favorite ingredient- smoked paprika.

Try the brie and fig grilled cheese with sweet potato fries for lunch next time…

• 2 slices whole-wheat sour dough bread
• 2 teaspoons butter, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1/3 cup sliced brie cheese
• ¼ cup fig preserve or compote
• ½ cup baby arugula

Heat a medium non-stick frying pan. Carefully spread the soft butter on one side of both the slices. Drizzle the olive oil as well and place the bread, butter side down on the pan. Cook on medium heat. Spread the preserve on both slices. Add the brie on one slice. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes on medium heat. Add the arugula on the other slice. Carefully bring the slices together, placing the cheese side on top of the arugula side. Cook on both side for another minute making sure both sides are golden brown and crispy. Cut in half before serving.

Sweet Potato Fries

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch thick fries
• 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place the fries on an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet. Drizzle the olive oil, salt, garlic powder and paprika. Mix well with your fingers and bake for about 45 minutes or till the fries are soft on the inside and crunchy and golden brown on the outside.