Chipotle Onion and Candied Bacon Grilled Cheese

It’s time to add grilled cheese to my favorite things to eat. If you haven’t noticed yet, all my favorite things include 2 ingredients; carbs and cheese. Grilled cheese is one of my go to meals during the fall and winter months. To me, it’s the ultimate comfort food. I love a traditional grilled cheese with good ol’ American cheese but It’s also fun to play different ingredients and this grilled cheese is all the things! It’s true fall comfort food in one sandwich.

Entertaining tips:

1. Bake the bacon and caramelize the onions the day before. Store in the refrigerator until ready to build the sandwiches.

2. Build the sandwiches 30 minutes to 1 hour before your guests arrive. Then all you need to do is cook the sandwiches.

Recipe: serves 4

Ingredients:

4 pretzel rolls

3 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese

2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped

1/2 yellow onion, sliced

4 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp olive oil

8 strips bacon

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp dried rosemary

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and rosemary.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the 4 strips of bacon on the pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the bacon and rub onto the bacon.

4. Bake for about 20 minutes or to your preference. I prefer the bacon on the crispy side.

5. While bacon is cooking, make the onions. Place a medium pan over medium-low heat and add 2 Tbsp of butter. Add onions and chopped chipotle peppers. Let onions caramelize in the pan, this will take about 10-15 minutes. Stir onions every 2-3 minutes so they don’t burn.

6. Prepare the buns: slice pretzel buns in half and remove some of the bread inside. This just helps create a bit of a cradle for all the good stuff. Freeze the crumbs and use for breadcrumbs another time.

7. Once bacon and onions are done, it’s time to build the sandwich. Divide half the cheese evenly across 4 bottoms halves. Add 2 strips of bacon to each sandwich, then divide the onions evenly over the bacon. Top the halves with the remaining cheese and put the top on each half.

8. Put a large pan over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Once pan is hot and butter and oil coats the pan place the sandwiches on the pan and push down with the back of a spatula.

9. Cook on one side for 3-4 minutes or until golden and crispy and flip. Cook until cheese is melted and remove from heat.

10. Cut in half and serve hot.

11. Enjoy!