Hazelnut-crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Figs

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup hazelnuts
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 4 freshly cut thin slices rustic white bread
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fig spread*
• 4 slices port salut cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter

Preparation

1. 1. In a food processor, pulse hazelnuts with rosemary until finely ground (be careful not to make a paste). Pour onto a plate.
2. 2. Brush 1 side of each bread slice with oil and press it into nut mixture.
3. 3. Spread uncoated side of 2 of the slices with fig spread. Top with cheese and second bread slices, nut-crusted side out.
4. 4. Melt butter in a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook, turning once, until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 8 minutes.
5. *Heather Auguello likes the Dalmatia Fig Spread from Whole Foods Market; it's also available by mail order from dalmatiaimports.com.
6. Note: Nutritional analysis is per sandwich.