Pepper Jack & Tomato Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Spicy pepper jack and fresh tomato grilled on jalapeño bread for a quick, flavorful lunch sandwich with a delicious kick.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices jalapeño-studded bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 slices pepper jack cheese

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium ripe tomato, thinly sliced

→ Spreads & Fats

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Seasonings

05 - Pinch of salt
06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Lay out bread slices on a clean surface. Butter one side of each slice evenly.
02 - Place two slices buttered side down on a plate. Layer each with 2 slices of pepper jack cheese and half the tomato slices. Season tomatoes lightly with salt and pepper if desired. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
03 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until evenly warm.
04 - Place sandwiches in the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is completely melted.
05 - Remove from skillet and let cool for 1 minute. Slice in half diagonally and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The jalapeño bread adds this incredible slow building heat that sneaks up on you
  • Tomato slices cut through all that rich cheese with bright acidic freshness
  • Takes thirteen minutes from thought to plate, which is basically instant happiness
02 -
  • Medium low heat is better than medium high. Rushing this means burned bread and unmelted cheese, which is basically a tragedy.
  • The butter should go on the outside of the bread, not inside the sandwich. This seems obvious but I have seen people make this mistake.
  • If your tomatoes are super juicy, pat them dry with paper towels before adding to prevent soggy bread syndrome.
03 -
  • Butter your bread all the way to the edges. Those crispy borders are arguably the best part.
  • If your cheese is not melting, cover the pan with a lid for the last minute. The trapped steam helps everything get gooey without over browning the bread.
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