Try this new take on grilled cheese. This sweet and spicy grilled cheese blends sweet pepper jelly, two kinds of cheese, jalapenos, and bacon. It is hearty and delicious!
Serve Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese
The humble grilled cheese sandwich is a simple yet beloved food. However, there are many ways to give it a new flavor, such as changing its bread from plain white to artisan bread. Try adding pepper jack cheese, pepper jelly, and jalapeรฑos. The possibilities are endless for customizing this humble sandwich.
A Great Sandwich for a Party
Most years, I attend a Super Bowl party to raise money for a local food bank. We call the party a souper bowl luncheon because we serve soup and sandwiches around Super Bowl time. Not only do we have several incredible homemade soups, but we serve a variety of sandwiches. Grilled cheese seems to be the perennial favorite, and here is my souped-up version with spicy jalapenos, pepper jelly, and bacon. It is decadent and hearty and a new take on an old favorite!
Use Pepper Jelly
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. Use a jelly with or without pepper pieces because the sauteed jalapeno will add bits of pepper to this sandwich.
How to Make a Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese
Follow these easy steps.
Bread for Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese
Use your favorite sliced bread for this sandwich. I use anything from brioche to an artisan.ย Dave’s Killer White Breadย is great with this sandwich. If you use brioche for this sandwich, cook on low heat to let the cheese melt so the bread does not over-brown!
Make a Vegetarian Sandwich
Leave off the bacon to make this a vegetarian sandwich because it tastes just as good without the bacon! You can also experiment with other peppers. I have used hatch chiles in place of the jalapeno peppers. And if you prefer hotter peppers, try them if you have a high threshold for heat!
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Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices cooked bacon
- ยฝ 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
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the jalapeno in the bacon grease until wilted. Remove from the grease and drain on a paper towel.
- Pour the grease into a heat-safe container and remove any leftover in the pan with a paper towel.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.