Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese

The Sweet and Savory Life

The humble grilled cheese sandwich is a simple yet beloved food. There are many ways to give it a new flavor, such as changing bread from plain white to artisan bread. Try adding pepper jack cheese, pepper jelly, and jalapeños. The possibilities are endless.

A grilled cheese sandwich with jalapeno peppers, bacon, cheddar cheese, and pepper jelly is a decadent and hearty new take on an old favorite!

Use your favorite pepper jelly for these sandwiches. I like using one with pepper bits from Trader Joe’s. However, I also enjoy Red Pepper Jelly from Stonewall Kitchen. You can use a jelly either with or without pepper pieces because the sautéed jalapeno will add bits of pepper to this sandwich.

For bread, I use anything from brioche to an artisan. Dave’s Killer White Bread is great with this sandwich. If you use brioche, cook on low heat to let the cheese melt so the bread does not over-brown!

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 slices cooked bacon
• ½ medium-sized jalapeno, chopped
• 2 slices thick sandwich bread
• 2 tablespoons pepper jelly
• 1 slice pepper jack cheese
• 1 slice cheddar cheese
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted

Directions

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Cook the jalapeno in the bacon grease until wilted. Remove from the grease and drain on a paper towel.
3. Pour the grease into a heat-safe container and remove any leftover in the pan with a paper towel.
4. Spread the pepper jelly on one slice of the bread. Then, add a slice of pepper jack cheese and cheddar cheese. Add the cooked jalapeno, spreading it evenly over the cheese. Add two slices of bacon so that they cross each other. Add the other slice of bread on top.
5. Melt the butter and brush half of it on the outside of the sandwich. Heat the skillet and add the sandwich, buttered side down. Cook on medium-low so the cheese has time to melt.
6. Use a spatula to press the sandwich. Turn when browned and brush the rest of the butter on the top of the sandwich. Cook until each side is toasted.

Sweet and Savory Notes

• Leave off the bacon to make this a vegetarian sandwich because it tastes just as good.
• You can experiment with other peppers. I have used hatch chilies in place of the jalapeno peppers. And try hotter peppers if you have a high threshold for heat!

For more recipes as well as entertaining and lifestyle hints, visit Rynn’s blog.