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Tomato Grilled Cheese with Beer and Bacon Marmalade

Source of Recipe

Garden & Gun, August-September 2015


Recipe Introduction

"An update on the classic tomato-and-white bread sandwich."

Recipe Link: https://tinyurl.com/36zjdxka

List of Ingredients

Sandwich:
â—¦ 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, divided
â—¦ 2 slices white bread, preferably thick
â—¦ ¼ cup Beer and Bacon Marmalade (recipe follows)
â—¦ 2 slices American cheese
â—¦ 3 slices heirloom tomatoes

Beer and Bacon Marmalade:
â—¦ 12 ounces smoked bacon
â—¦ ¼ cup minced shallot
â—¦ 1 tablespoons minced garlic
â—¦ 3 ½ tablespoons dark brown sugar
â—¦ 1 tablespoons honey
â—¦ 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
â—¦ 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
â—¦ 1 cup brewed coffee
â—¦ 1 cup beer, preferably a porter or stout
â—¦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
â—¦ ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper


Recipe

For the sandwich:
Spread butter onto one side of each piece of bread. Place a cast iron skillet over medium heat and toast the buttered bread.

Remove the bread from the skillet and place it on a cutting board, toasted side up. Slather the marmalade over the toast, and then stack the cheese and tomato on top. Put the sandwich together, and spread the soft outside with the remaining butter. Return it to the skillet and toast until golden and cheese is gooey. Serve with beer.

For the Beer and Bacon Marmalade:
Cook bacon slices in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 5 to 6 minutes), and then remove them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan, and add the shallots. Cook them over medium heat until they begin to brown (about 3 to 5 minutes), and then add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds before adding brown sugar, honey, and vinegars. Simmer until reduced by half, and then add coffee and beer and continue to simmer until the mixture is reduced to a syrup-like consistency (about 10 to 12 minutes). Remove from the stove, season with salt and red pepper, and allow to cool.

Crush or chop bacon into small pieces and fold them into coffee-beer mixture. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 3 days. (Makes 1 cup marmalade; enough for 4 sandwiches.)

Makes 1 serving