Caramelized Apple Melt with Aged Cheddar and Arugula

Arugula is a year-round green in our garden.  In the summer months, the leaves don't get big but the flavor is amazingly intense.  At this time of year, the leaves are huge, and the flavor equally wonderful.  We're now harvesting our winter arugula on a regular basis, and starting new seeds for spring.  We especially love the arugula from Franchi Sementi, available at Seeds from Italy and Botanical Interests.

This sandwich plays the strong, bitter flavor of arugula against gooey, sweet caramelized apples and sharp cheddar cheese.  Use as much or little arugula as you please.  Ours is so intense, a little goes a long way, but we still loaded our sandwiches up with several leaves and even included the stems.

Caramelized Apple Melt with Aged Cheddar and Arugula
makes 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

1                           medium red delicious apple
6         Tbs            unsalted butter
1/3      cup            sugar
2         tsp             cinnamon
1 1/2   tsp             nutmeg
6                           thick slices extra sharp white cheddar
8                           big arugula leaves
4                           slices pumpernickel bread

Procedure

1. Peel and dice apples into 1/2" cubes.
2. Melt butter in large skillet over medium.
3. Add sugar and stir until sugar begins to melt, about 1 minute.
4. Add apples and saute until brown and tender, and juices form, about 10 minutes.
5. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon, leaving juices in the pan.
6. Add cinnamon and nutmeg to juices in pan and mix well.
7. Return pan to medium heat, then add bread slices.  Brown well, then flip and repeat. 
8. While second side of bread is toasting in pan, place cheddar slices on two of the bread slices so the cheese will melt.
9. When bread is browned, removed from pan.  Add caramelized apples and arugula (3-4 per sandwich depending on how strong your arugula is), and assemble sandwiches.  Eat while still warm.