With the writers' strike [1] putting a pause on my favorite television series plot, I've started watching repeats of Gossip Girl [2]. I recently caught the pilot [3] and came across a scene in which Chuck feeds a drunk Serena a grilled cheese sandwich from his hotel's kitchen.

Not your ordinary grilled cheese — it's actually on the New York Palace Hotel [4]'s restaurant [5] menu — this sandwich costs $50. So what makes it so divinely delicious and extra expensive? Thick-cut housemade bread, imported Italian Fontina cheese, and fresh shaved black truffles. To take a look at a clip from the episode and check out the recipe, .

Gossip Girl's Grilled Cheese Sandwich [6]
From Christopher Lee [7]

8 slices of fresh baked white bread (look for a local bakery)
16 slices of fontina cheese
2 tbsp sweet butter
2 oz fresh shaved black winter truffles
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Layer 2 slices of fontina cheese between 2 slices of white bread and shave a couple of slices of truffles in the middle of each sandwich; do the same for all four sandwiches.
2. Heat a large fry pan over medium heat and add the butter.
3. When the butter melts, add the sandwiches and cook until the bread is nice and toasted.
4. Remove and slice sandwiches in half and place into four plates.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Print recipe with images [7] | without images [7]