Ingredients: 3 – tablespoons butter, at room temperature 1 – Medium red onion (about ½ lb) thinly sliced. ¾ - teaspoon cumin seeds 6oz – Best quality medium aged Gouda cheese, coarsely grated. 8 – slices rye bread with caraway seeds (1/4 inch thick) Directions: In a large non stick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over low heat. Add the onions and cook very slowly, stirring occasionally, until they turn a dark golden color, 30 to 40 minutes. If the onions begin to scorch, add about 1 tablespoon of water. Remove the onions from the pan and set aside. Wipe the skillet with a paper towel, but do not wash it. (the onions can be prepared up to 6 hrs. in advance and kept covered at room temperature) Heat the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and toast just until they become fragrant, about 3 minutes (watch carefully, they burn easily). Remove the seeds and let cool briefly. Do not wash the skillet. When the seeds are cool, crush them with a mortar and pestle or place them in a re-sealable plastic bag and lightly pound with a mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet. In a medium bowl, toss the crushed seeds with the cheese. TO ASSEMBLE: Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices on your work surface, buttered side down. Distribute the cheese evenly over the 4 slices followed by the onion. Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top buttered side up. STOVETOP METHOD: Heat a large non stick skillet over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Put the sandwiches in the skillet (in batches if necessary), cover, and cook for 2 minutes or until the underside are golden brown and the cheese has begun to melt. Uncover, and turn the sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to flatten them slightly. Cook for 1 minute, or until the underside is golden brown. Turn the sandwiches again, press with a spatula, and cook for 30 seconds, or until cheese has melted completely. Serve immediately. SANDWICH MAKER METHOD: Preheat the sandwich maker. Follow directions for sandwich assembly, and cook according to manufacturer’s instructions. GAS GRILL METHOD: Brush the grill rack with oil and preheat the grill to medium high. Follow directions for sandwich assembly. Put the sandwiches on the grill and follow the directions for stovetop method. Makes 4 sandwiches