Grilled Cheese Challenge: The Caprese Grilled Cheese

So after my sister and I went to the Grilled Chz, we decided we would start our own little creative Grilled Cheese Challenge, something to keep us connected in our distance.

Yesterday she sent me a picture of a grilled cheese she made for lunch:

Southwestern Ham Melt?  I think so: black forrest ham, red and green bell peppers sautéed with onions and pickled serranos (we grow 'em and pickle 'em!),  and placed over melted cheddar on wheat bread, seared in butter.

Then she  challenged  me. My rebuttle?  A Caprese Grilled Cheese of course!

Ingredients:
Italian Loaf or your favorite bread for consuming grilled cheese
Butter (butter, butter, butter!)
1/4 c cherry tomatoes
1-2 basil leafs
1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 slab of (fresh preffered!) mozarella
Garlic (optional)

Preheat a pan and warm some olive oil. Dice the tomatoes and chop up the basil.

Throw in the tomatoes, (you can add garlic if you want), and balsamic vinegar. Cook untile the tomatoes have softened and the vinegar thickens/reduces, add basil and let wilt. Pour into a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the pan

melt butter and put your bread on the pan. You can add a clove of garlic to infuse the butter, or not. (I like garlic). Mozzarella has a high melting point, so get that cheese on the bread, ASAP!

cook until melty, and browned.

enjoy :)

Food: The Grilled Chz

I have been running around town, meeting friends and family for food and drinks in the midst of all this packing. I have eaten LOTS of good food in the process. Today's adventure was The Grilled Chz

The Grilled Chz is a fun spin on a classic grilled cheese. I split a BorderBob and a Double Cream Brie Delight with my sister.

BorderBob: Pepperjack cheese with Spicey Chili, Fritos, Fire Roasted Salsa with Cilantro Lime Butter on a Jalapeno crusted White Bread. [I would pair with a Pinot Noir or Syrah, personally]

Double Cream Brie Delight:  Double Cream Brie Cheese with Fig Paste, Almonds, and smoked Turkey or Bacon on White Bread. [Would be exceptional with wine. A crisp white!]

Lunch was PHENOMENAL.

We also got a cup of Tomato Basil Bisque, and a Half and Half 6 piece order of  deep fried mac and cheese balls (3) JALAPENO & (3) with BACON!

[Pardon my italics, I am only salivating over here].

Everything we sampled was delicious. I really wish they offered a sampler platter of their suggested grilled cheese sandwhiches, although, you can build your own and the options are endless.

From what I understand they are opening a second location in Northwest Fresno. I think that's great and well worth it. They have truly taken comfort food to a fun, artsy fartsy whole new level.