Fancy Grilled Cheese

I’ve been craving this classic lately but was looking to put an interesting new twist on it.  So, as I start with most of my cooking ideas, I Google searched some creative ways to make grilled cheese a little fancier, but just as easy.  This particular recipe from Tyler Florence, Food Network star and host of “Tyler’s Ultimate,” caught my eye because the ingredients were very different and they could all be found in my fridge.  The combination of the sour apples and the salty bacon was surprisingly delicious, and the extra kick from the Dijon mustard was unexpected but tasty as well.

Fancy Grilled Cheese

Adapted recipe and photos by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

Original recipe by Tyler Florence

Serves 1

• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 2 slices whole grain bread
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 strips bacon
• Dijon mustard
• Butter

Place a skillet over medium heat to warm up.  Cook the bacon according to package instructions.  Spread the mustard on one slice of bread, then top with cheese, bacon, apple slices, and more cheese. 

Place the second piece of bread on top of the sandwich and spread butter on the top of the bread.  Place the sandwich, butter side down, onto the heated skillet.  Press down with a spatula and wait till the bottom turns golden brown.  As you are waiting, spread more butter on the bread that is facing up.  Flip the sandwich over and allow the other side to cook.  When both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted (about 5 minutes), take the sandwich off of the skillet and enjoy!

Jorge's boring version with just cheese and bacon.  Apples "make his teeth hurt."

This really is a great recipe and I would definitely recommend it if you are a grilled cheese fan.   This version was just as easy and ten times more flavorful.  It took about five minutes longer than making a plain grilled cheese, but the huge difference in taste was worth it.  Plus, it’s five more minutes used to procrastinate from doing work!

Next time I think I might try honey mustard instead of Dijon to see if the sweet and savory makes a good combination.  Try it out and let me know what you think!

Total time: 10 minutes