Tag: bread

Main Dishes, Recipes, Sandwiches and Wraps

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

Sarah

So, any other Call the Midwife fans out there? The season finale was last night–and oh my goodness!!! If you haven’t seen that show, you are missing out. It’s my newest love this spring–right up there with jalapeños, both of which are QUITE surprising because I never have liked medical-type shows and I certainly have NEVER been a spice kind of person. But now I crave it. Spice and midwifes. Mhmm.

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese | The Pajama Chef

The inspiration behind this incredibly cheesy, gooey grilled cheese with a kick is one of my absolute favorite restaurants, Scotty’s Brewhouse. Scotty’s is an Indiana chain and if we ever move from Indiana college towns I will be so super sad because pretty much everything there is great. From their waffle fries to their burgers to their salads, I’m just in love. We ate there at the end of April for my birthday and I randomly ordered this Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese. Why? I have no clue–it just sounded good. And it was good. So good in fact that I craved it for days on end, and was disappointed that this, of all times, was a date where Ben agreed to SHARE our entrees. He never wants to do that, but this time… man, what timing! Last week, I finally took it upon myself to recreate it at home. Allow me to introduce you to this masterpiece….!

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese | The Pajama Chef

It is basically grilled cheese to the max. EEEEK! I can’t even describe it any further except to say it’s just awesome and you need to try it, like now. Cheesy, spicy, gooey. What more do you need to know? It has four kinds of cheese–sharp cheddar, Monterrey Jack, cream cheese, AND a pub cheese spread, and it also is amped up with sweet sauteed onions, crisp bacon, and spicy jalapeños! I mean COME ON! I apologize for the excessive use of capitalization and exclamation, but what can you do when something is this amazing?! Have you ever had anything like this before? This isn’t a healthy grilled cheese at all… but you can indulge a little on a Monday. In my case, I’ll be needing it to drown my sorrows about the end of this season of Call the Midwife… but in Ben’s case, he’ll be drowning his sorrows about the fact that the show has been renewed for season three. YAY! [Oh boys and their squeamishness.] Enjoy!

P.S. SHAMELESS PLUG! Please check out and like my new blog Facebook page… pretty please with a cherry on top? And sprinkles? And jalapeños? I started the page back in 2011 but just started using it over the weekend. Ha! Thanks! 🙂

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese [a TPC original, inspired by Scotty’s Brewhouse]
click to print

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced Vidalia onion
  • 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced [partially deseeded if desired]
  • 4 slices whole wheat bread [or something that’s good for grilled cheese]
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter [divided]
  • 3-4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened [divided]
  • 2 ounces Monterrey Jack cheese, thinly sliced [divided]
  • 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced [divided]
  • 3-4 tablespoons cheddar cheese spread [I used Trader Joe’s pub cheese with jalapeños, but I think something like this recipe would work too]  [divided]
  • 3 slices of bacon, crisply cooked and chopped  [divided]

Directions:

In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add onion and jalapeños, and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Stir constantly, and if they start to burn, reduce heat slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Next, preheat grill pan or panini press–I used a panini press set on medium.

Butter one side of each piece of bread. Then assemble by spreading a layer of cream cheese on the non-buttered side of one piece of bread, topping with Monterrey Jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, and half of the onion/jalapeño mixture. Spread the cheddar cheese spread on the non-buttered side of another piece of bread, then place cheese spread on the onion/jalapeño mixture. This leaves the buttered sides on the outside. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Place on grill pan/panini press for about 5-6 minutes so cheese melts and outside gets crispy. Enjoy!

Time: 20 minutes.

Yield: 2 sandwiches.

Linked up with: Weekend Potluck.

Breakfast, Egg Dishes, Recipes

Sweet Potato and Kale Egg Bake

Sarah

Since this week has been all about breakfast so far, why not continue the trend? For Friday, this meal is a little less sweet than the waffles and oatmeal I shared before, but less sweet does not equal less tasty. No, no, no. Sweet Potato and Kale Egg Bake is a hearty, cheesy, veggie-filled breakfast that you do NOT want to miss!

Sweet Potato and Kale Egg Bake | The Pajama Chef

This easy egg casserole can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is just so good! I filled the classic bread-egg-milk bake with healthy kale, tangy red onions, and two kinds of potatoes! I personally thought the shredded sweet potatoes added a ton of flavor, while the roasted white potatoes  [I used Russet, but use whatever you have on hand] were a great base for all the yummy veggies. Oh! And what egg bake doesn’t get better topped with a big handful of sharp cheddar cheese? This one is no exception.

Sweet Potato and Kale Egg Bake | The Pajama Chef

We enjoyed this egg bake for dinner one night, then saved the leftovers for breakfast over the next few days. It heats up beautifully and is a great start to your day! Enjoy! 🙂

Sweet Potato and Kale Egg Bake [a TPC original]
click to print

Ingredients:

  • 2 large Russet potatoes, cubed
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 a large red onion, diced
  • 1/2 a bunch kale, rinsed, dried, and chopped into bite size pieces
  • 6 eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces day-old bread, cubed
  • 1 large sweet potato, shredded
  • heaping 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Place cubed Russet potatoes on a large baking sheet. Season with freshly ground black pepper, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Roast in oven for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.

In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Then add kale and toss to coat with oil, then cover for 2-3 minutes and cook until wilted.

In a large bowl, gently stir together eggs, milk, seasonings, bread cubes, and sweet potato. Pour mixture into prepared pan, then add roasted potatoes. Top with onion and kale mixture, pressing into the eggs. Cover with shredded cheese and more pepper as desired.

Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes or until cooked through.

Time: 75 minutes [10 minutes active].

Yield: 8-10 servings.

Appetizers, Recipes

Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Crostini

Sarah

We spent last weekend with my family. Not only did we have a great time, but we also [as usual] had some pretty amazing food. My mom and sister love cooking just as much as I do… so it’s only natural. 🙂 One of the best things we enjoyed was possibly the simplest–but simple doesn’t have to mean boring. Often, simple means fresh, light flavors that are perfectly pared… and are complex in their own way. Well, at least that’s the case with this quick crostini.

This crostini starts with toasted multigrain bread coated with tangy garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Then, the bread is topped with sweet basil, creamy mozzarella, and right on top…a juicy, ripe tomato. But the tomato is not just an afterthought–it’s the highlight, its bright sweetness accentuated by the cool cheese and crusty bread.

Can anything really be better in the summertime?  I’m not really sure what… and even though these are definitely an elegant appetizer, perfect for a cocktail party or bridal shower… I have a sneaky suspicion that even kids would love them, since they look a bit like a fried egg on toast. Do they not? Who says tomatoes need to be red? 🙂 Whoever you make these for is sure to enjoy them. Tis the season! Tomato season, that is!

Come share in the tomato love at the Tomato Love Recipe Exchange, hosted by Gimme Some Oven & Bake Your Day, sponsored this week by KitchenAid.  Also visit Recipe for Change to learn more about how to support tomato farmers.

Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Crostini [from Mom]
click to print

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 of a French baguette, cut into 1/2 inch slices [approximately 16 slices]
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 large clove garlic, smashed
  • 16 small/medium basil leaves
  • 2 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into 16 pieces
  • 8 small, bite-sized tomatoes, cut in half [I used sweet golden tomatoes but any cherry-type tomato will do]

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place bread on a cookie sheet then bake for 6-8 minutes until toasted. Remove from oven and cool briefly, about 2 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine olive oil and vinegar.

Then, rub garlic on each slice of bread. Brush on oil and vinegar mixture, then top with a basil leaf, a slice of mozzarella, and a tomato half.

Serve immediately.

Time: 15 minutes.

Yield: 4 servings.

Notes: Recipe can easily be increased as needed.