Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese transforms the popular appetizer into a meal-sized sandwich.
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INGREDIENTS
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– 3 medium jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced– 1 tsp olive oil– 4 strips bacon– 4 slices crusty bread– 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for pan– 3 Tbsp cream cheese (can use reduced-fat if you prefer)– 3 oz. pepper jack or cheddar cheese, sliced
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1
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Preheat broiler and foil small baking sheet. Cut jalapeños into strips, removing membrane and seeds. Using olive oil, coat jalapeño strips on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Step 2
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Blacken peppers in 5-7 minutes on broil. Optional: steam peppers in a bowl to remove the skins. Remove the skin after bowl cooling. It should easily remove from pepper.
Step 3
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As peppers bake, crisp bacon on griddle or skillet. Butter one side of four bread slices. Top two slices with cream cheese. Add jalapeño peppers to cream cheese.
Step 4
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Top two unbuttered slices of bread with cheese. Place butter-side-down bread slices on lightly buttered griddle or skillet over medium-low heat.
Step 5
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Cook open-face for 3 minutes until cheese melts and bread crisps without burning. Put bacon on jalapeños and top with cheese-covered bread. Push and cook another minute, flipping once.