Creative Nashish has a eye for capturing some delicious and mouth watering meals and has shared with MARY his latest creation, Infused Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Get ready to unbuckle your belt!
Infused Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Bacon Jam ingredients:
- 1 pound bacon diced
- 3 cups sweet onions diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Brandy
- 2 tablespoons infused olive oil
Grilled cheese assembly:
- 4 slices of rye or sourdough bread
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
- Unsalted butter
Directions for bacon jam:
In a large Dutch oven or cast iron pan, cook bacon over medium high heat. Stirring bacon occasionally until most of the fast has rendered and it begins to crisp. About 15 minutes.
With a slotted spoon transfer bacon to a small bowl and set aside. Remove all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pan. Add onions to the pan, cook over medium low heat. Stirring onions often until they are caramelized, about 30 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking for 2-3 mins.
Next add brandy to deglaze the pan. Scrape up all the brown bits while the brandy reduces to about half. Add thyme, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, maples syrup and reserved bacon. Increase the heat to medium high heat and continue cooking the for 10 minutes or until bacon jam has thickened.
Transfer bacon jam to food processor a long with 2 tablespoons of infused olive oil. You can add more depending on how potent you want you jam. Pulse for processor for about 10-15 seconds. I like my jam to be spreadable so I pulse for a little longer but that up to you. Spoon infused bacon jam into a small and refrigerate until ready to use.
Directions for grilled cheese:
Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Next spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of bacon jam on two of the slices or more if you like. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over bacon jam on both slices cover with reserved slices of bread butter side up.
In a large cast iron pan melt butter over medium high heat. When butter becomes foamy places sandwiches into pan cheese side down. Using a spatula press down on both sandwiches to make sure they are in full contact with pan. When cheese has begun to melt and the bread has become golden brown flip sandwiches and continue cooking until the other side has browned. Transfer grilled cheese sandwiches to a plate and serve immediately.
