If you love pineapple on your pizza, you are going to love this sweet heat grilled cheese sandwich. Never thought of putting pineapple in your grilled cheese sandwich? Maybe you just needed someone to put the idea in your head, and we are happy to oblige. The sweetness of the pineapple could be overwhelming if not for the spicy jalapeño peppers that play off of it in the most delightful way.
Of course, grilling the pineapple is not completely necessary; you'll still get a scrumptious ooey-gooey cheese sandwich with a crunch that you wouldn't get from any ordinary grilled cheese sandwich. If you opt for that extra step, however, grilling gives the fruit a smoky flavor that works perfectly with both the mozzarella cheese and the jalapeño.
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Sweet Heat Grilled Cheese Sandwich
2 sandwiches
5 minutes
15 minutes
20 minutes
4 thin slices of pineapple, cut into rounds
4 thick-cut slices good Italian bread
3 or 4 tablespoons butter, softened
4 tablespoons pickled sliced jalapeño peppers
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
Heat an indoor or outdoor grill over medium heat. When it's hot, place pineapple slices on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes or until the pineapple has started to sweat slightly and has beautiful grill marks. Carefully flip and grill the slices for another 2 to 3 minutes before taking off the grill.
Butter one side of each slice of Italian bread. Place one butter side down in a skillet and layer with cheese, two pineapple slices and two tablespoons of jalapeño peppers.
Repeat with another slice of bread, placed right beside the first piece. Top each with the two remaining buttered slices of bread, butter side up.
Turn heat under skillet to medium and cook sandwiches on one side for about 5 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes.
Let rest for about 5 minutes before cutting and serving.