Stir it up: Toasted cheese warms up cold winter nights

1 large egg

½ cup half-and-half

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

4 slices favorite local bread, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons butter, divided

½ Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced

1 whole shallot or very small onion, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar

2 cooked sausage patties or thick slices of ham

Pure maple syrup, warmed, for drizzling (optional)

Whisk together the egg, half-and-half and vanilla in a shallow bowl. Add bread slices, turning to coat with mixture, and set aside to soak.

Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a small skillet set over medium-high heat; add apple slices and shallot or onion, and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 7-9 minutes. Add vinegar and cook 1 minute longer. Set aside.

Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Remove bread slices from egg mixture (discard remaining mixture) and cook 2 minutes on one side.

Take the skillet off heat, and flip two of the bread slices so that the uncooked sides face down. Sprinkle each with ¼ cup cheddar; then add sausage patty or ham slice topped with half of the apple mixture. Top each with an additional ¼ cup Cheddar and a second slice of bread, cooked side down.

Place the skillet back over medium heat and cook about 2 minutes or until golden on underside. Turn sandwiches over, and cook 2 minutes longer or until golden on second side and cheese is melted. Cut in half, and serve warm, drizzled with warm maple syrup, if desired.

Serves two.

Variation: For a simpler and lighter version called Cheddar Cheese Dreams, make sandwiches first with your choice of bread spread lightly with mustard and topped with thinly sliced cheddar of your choice and smoked turkey breast. Press sandwiches together firmly. Whisk together 2 eggs with ⅓ cup milk (enough for 4 sandwiches), and briefly soak each side of sandwich in the mixture before cooking in skillet as described above.

"The Cabot Creamery Cookbook: Simple, Wholesome Dishes From America's Best Dairy Farms" (Time Home Entertainment Inc., 2015)