Created by ForeverMama on March 1, 2021
Step 1: Fill a bowl with cold water (enough o cover the shredded apples) and add the lemon juice.
Step 2: Grate the apples on the large holes of a box grater. Place the apples in the lemon water to prevent them from browning.
Step 3: Grate the onion. (Don't add the onion to the water). Set aside.
Step 4: In a cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the onions for 10 to 15 minutes, until slightly caramelized.
Step 5: Deglaze the onions with apple cider vinegar.
Step 6: Drain the apples and add them to the skillet with the sugar, the ginger and a pinch of kosher salt. Continue to sauté until the apples have softened, 5 minutes.
Step 7: Turn off the heat, and stir in the reserved lemon zest.
Step 8: Let completely cool before transferring to an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Step 9: Mix the ground pork and sausage meat, black pepper, garlic, thyme, sage, maple syrup, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt.
Step 10: Form the pork into four equal oblong patties that are about the size and shape of your bread slices.
Step 11: Make a little indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb (this helps prevent it from not balling up).
Step 12: Preferably in a cast iron skillet (the same one that you cooked the relish, to save in washing dishes), fry the pork patties on medium heat for 3 minutes on each side, until they reach an internal temperature of 160ºF. Remove the patties to a plate covered with a paper towel to drain any fat.
Step 13: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Place a slice of bread in the skillet and stack a pork patty, approximately 2 tablespoons of apple onion relish (more or less to taste), two slices of cheese, and another slice of bread on top.
Step 14: Grill in the skillet in butter for 3 to 4 minutes to brown the bread. Carefully lift the sandwich with a spatula. Melt another tablespoon of butter before flipping the melt to the un-grilled side.
Step 15: Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bread has browned.
Step 16: Repeat with the other sandwiches. Serve warm.