Leftover Carnitas Grilled Cheese Melt

Remember those glorious Crockpot Carnitas I told you about the other day?

And I was all proud that I thought of using the leftovers to make a grilled cheese? (It's the little things that make me feel accomplished, people)!

Well, here it is.

Leftover carnitas + sliced avocado make for the perfect grilled cheese.

Use however much carnitas per sandwich that you desire. I suggest not overdoing it on the meat on each sandwich... you wanna be able to taste all that ooey gooey oozing cheese! It is a grilled cheese, after all. I used 2 slices of pepper jack cheese per sandwich like I usually would for my grilled cheeses, but I think I put just a bit too much carnitas on it because I wanted more cheese!!!

And use whatever kind of Mexican cheese you like. Monterey jack, pepper jack, or even get fancy with some Manchego. Whatever you do, don't skimp on the cheese!


Leftover Carnitas Grilled Cheese Melt
a SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl original

*Yields: 2 sandwiches

• leftover Crockpot Carnitas
• 4 slices of bread
• 3-4 tablespoons butter, melted
• sliced Mexican cheese (pepper jack, monterey jack, Manchego, whatever you'd like!)
• 1 avocado, sliced

Dip one side of each slice of bread in melted butter. To make two sandwiches at once, place 2 slices, butter-side down in a preheated large skillet. Top with cheese slice(s), carnitas, avocado slices, cheese slice(s), then a slice of bread with butter side up. Flip both to brown on other side.


Printable Recipe









































I'm gonna make these again and again. Not only because I need a better photo with oozy melted cheese, but because I LOVE LOVE LOVE these carnitas and the possibilities with them! I can't wait to get creative with more ideas.

Flavorful, tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork goodness with that perfect balance of crispiness, paired with tons of cheese and creamy avocado on a comforting grilled cheese sandwich. Done done and done.

Linking up here.


Peace, and bacon grease!

Apple, Bacon, and Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese Croissant {Crazy Cooking Challenge}

It's time for this month's Crazy Cooking Challenge!! And this month it's all about the grilled cheese. Who doesn't like a grilled cheese?


Takes me back to my childhood days when my mama used to slather the bread slices with butter and when I bit into my grilled cheese, butter used to literally ooze from it. Oh, the things my mama fed me  :)

I made my usual list of possibilities, and finally settled on this recipe from Creative Culinary, but wanted to change it up a tad. I used bacon instead of pancetta, and dijon mustard rather than whole grain mustard. And I didn't use that exact kind of sharp cheddar - I used Cabot extra sharp. No major changes.

Apple, Bacon, and Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese Croissant

slightly adapted from Creative Culinary

• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, chopped
• 2 teaspoons butter, divided
• 1 large croissant, sliced in half lengthwise
• 2 slices of sharp cheddar
• 2 slices bacon, cooked
• One half apple, cored and sliced

For the cranberry spread, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, honey and dried cranberries in a small bowl and set aside.

Cook bacon in a skillet on medium-low until brown and starting to crisp. Drain.

In a separate large skillet on medium-low, melt 1 teaspoon of butter. Place cut edges of sliced croissant face down on butter until slightly toasted; approximately 1 minute. Remove from pan.

Melt another teaspoon of butter in skillet and place bottom of croissant in pan, toasted side facing up. Layer 1 slice of cheese, apple slices, bacon and a 2nd slice of cheese on top of croissant. Spread the inside of the top piece of croissant with the cranberry spread and place it spread side down on layered ingredients. Lower heat and cover the sandwich with a lid until the cheese starts to melt, carefully watching the underside so as not to burn. Carefully flip the sandwich over and repeat. Remove from heat, cut in half and enjoy. Makes one sandwich.

Printable Recipe

 























When I told PJ that I was making this for myself while he was at work, he said it didn't sound good. Honestly, his judgment had me a bit worried. How would I like this on a croissant grilled instead of bread? I've tried bagels before and wasn't too impressed. How would this mustard and cranberry mixture taste on a grilled cheese? Does the grilled cheese even need that? Apples and cranberries? Is this a bit much?

Um, no Desi... are you crazy?!?! It wasn't too much at all. In fact, it was amazing. It was delicious. It was one of the best grilled cheeses I've ever had. 

That croissant. Oh, I just may use you every time for grilled cheese from now on. The buttery, flakyness definitely outdid any plain old white bread for sure. Usually I can't really tell a difference in different kinds of cheddar, but the sharpness really really stood out. It was a perfect cheese for this sandwich. 

I did have problems photographing these, so I do apologize that the pictures aren't all pretty to show you just how delicious this really was. I'm really sorry for that. But I'm not sorry that I made this and am now sharing it with you all. 

You're welcome for that. 

And the little tang from the mustard and cranberry mixture added that extra somethin too. I even liked the apple slices on it! What the? If you are if-y about the apple slices, I'd say try it with them and you just may surprise yourself on how much you like it. But if you don't wanna get all bold and risky, then this grilled cheese croissant is just as amazing without the apples. 

Now I've got to make these for PJ one day when he's home! I love when he thinks he doesn't like something and therefore I get to prove him wrong. That's always fun :)

Oh, and maybe... just maybe, you can scroll down to the blog hop below and click on my recipe - it's #17 - we've got a contest going on and the grilled cheese that gets the most clicks is crowned the Ultimate Grilled Cheese! Please? I'll love you for life.

Peace, and bacon grease!

Linking up here.

Turkey and Onion Grilled Cheese for National Grilled Cheese Month!

In honor of national grilled cheese month, I bring you....

the turkey and onion grilled cheese. 

 























Specifically, maple turkey and sauteed red onions. We used gouda, and it was good-ah!. And then the next day we used pepperjack, and it too was delicious. A bit of spiciness to cut the sweetness from the maple turkey and red onions. Oh my word, it melted in my mouth. I'm wondering what I could add to this already-amazing sandwich to make it even better... maybe some crunch of some sort?? Or some green veggies like spinach or something fancy?? Or I could just leave it as-is and ooh and ahh in amazement over it still.

We used 3 tbsp butter for the bread. You can either melt the butter and dip the bread slices in the butter, or soften the butter and spread on the bread slices. Whichever you prefer.

Turkey and Onion Grilled Cheese

a SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl original 

*Yields 2 sandwiches

• 1/2 of a red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 slices of whole wheat bread
  
• 3 tbsp or so of butter, melted or softened*
• 4 slices of maple turkey
• 4 slices of gouda cheese
  

In a medium skillet, add 2 tbsp butter until melted. Then add sliced red onion and saute until softened and golden brown.

Spread the bread slices with 3 tbsp softened butter. In a large skillet on medium-low, add the bread slices. If you have a large enough skillet, you can add all 4 slices of bread all at once. If not, you will need to do this in batches. We did one sandwich at a time, so we only added 2 slices of bread to begin with. Top one slice of bread with 2 slices gouda. Then add 2 slices of maple turkey, then some sauteed red onions. Top with the other slice of bread. Press down with a spatula or heavy object. Flip if needed. Repeat with 2nd sandwich.

*Note: You can either melt the butter and dip the bread slices in the butter, or soften the butter so it is spreadable and spread on the bread slices. Whichever you prefer.

Printable Recipe

Seriously, it was delish. It had me asking PJ why we can't or don't open up a sandwich or panini shop of our own if it's that easy and delicious, and better than what we've got at restaurants in the past! Tom and Chee aint got nothin on us!! We will FOR SURE be making these all of the time. 

And whipping up more grilled cheese ideas along the way, too.

Linking up here.

Peace, and bacon grease!