Raspberry Basil Grilled Cheese Recipe

Make cashew cream (if using store-bought, skip to step 3)

If making a quick cashew cream: soak 1/2 cup raw cashews in hot water for 15 minutes, drain, then blend with 2–3 tbs water, 1 tsp lemon juice and a pinch of salt until smooth. Use 1/2 cup for sandwiches.

If using fresh raspberries instead of jam: gently mash 1/3 cup raspberries with a fork until semi-smooth but still slightly textured. If using jam, measure 1/3 cup jam and loosen with 1 tsp hot water if very thick.

Taste the cashew cream and stir in the 1 tsp lemon juice (optional), 1/8 tsp salt and a pinch (1/16 tsp) black pepper to brighten and season slightly. This ensures it won't taste flat under the cheese.

Lay out 4 slices of bread. Spread about 2 tbs of cashew cream cheese evenly across two of the slices (approximately 1/4 cup per sandwich, 2 tbs per slice).

Spoon or spread the 1/3 cup raspberry jam or mashed raspberries over the cashew cream on those same slices. Distribute evenly so each sandwich gets roughly 2 tbs of jam.

Top the jam layer with two provolone-style slices on each sandwich. Over the cheese, evenly distribute the baby spinach (about 1/2 cup per sandwich) and 6 basil leaves per sandwich, slightly tearing larger basil leaves so they layer flat.

Close each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, buttered side outward (if not buttered yet, proceed to next section).

Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-low to medium heat. Spread about 1/2 tbs butter or oil on the outer face of each sandwich slice (total about 2 tbs for both sandwiches).

Place sandwiches in the skillet. Cook gently 3–4 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula, until bread is golden-brown and cheese is melted. If bread is browning too quickly before cheese melts, lower heat and cover pan for 1–2 minutes to trap heat and help cheese soften.

Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board. Let rest 1 minute, then slice each sandwich in half on the diagonal. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the exposed filling if desired.