The culinary curse can be a marvelous gift, but also a struggle to make simple, cheap dishes. I could’ve made just a standard grilled cheese today, but where is the fun in that? I found a 50¢ loaf of french bread and took the wrong direction in preparing my grilled cheese bread. Instead of cutting it vertically into small slices, I opted to slice it horizontally like a hot dog bun and then into three large sections. My mistake was made very apparent when I assembled my sandwich in the pan and realized it towered far to high to flip with a standard spatula method. The solution was quite humorous. I ended up picking the sandwich up with a spatula and flipped the pan upside down on the unfried side and then flipped the whole pan back upright. I scored a 10 for my form from Dayne! Next time I know to slice it vertically down the length like a standard loaf of bread.

Ingredients:

• 6 large slices of bread (I used a large french loaf)
• margarine
• 1 lb. bacon, fried (Dayne and I ate probably 1/4 of the package in the process of frying)
• 6 jalapeños, diced and deseeded
  • I use a ziplock bag on each hand to avoid hand burning
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 6 slices of Colby jack cheese

Directions:

1. Fry bacon until crisp, drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Toss the diced jalapeños into the hot bacon grease and allow to soften and absorb the salty goodness. Drain the cooked jalapeños and toss into a bowl with the softened cream cheese. Stir to combine.
3. Butter one side of each slice of bread (since i used French bread, I buttered the interior soft portion and then flattened the two pieces against each other to decrease the height).
4. Head a clean griddle pan or a medium-sized skillet over medium heat (the grease can be discarded from the bacon pan and used). Place one slice of bread, butter-side down. Add one slice of cheese and smear the cream cheese/jalapeño mixture on top (approximately 2 Tbsp. worth). Place a few slices of bacon onto the cream cheese and then top with another slice of cheese. Place the second slice of bread, butter side facing up on top. Fry until each side is a nice dark brown color and bread is firm.

Yields 3 sandwiches. Might be able to add two more slices of bread and cheese to the list of ingredients and make 4 sandwiches.

Eat, Bork, and Be Merry!