Friday, July 19, 2013

Jam-Packed Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

It's an exciting time in Saratoga Springs! Today marks the opening day of the 150th meet of the historic Saratoga Race Course. The excitement in the air is palpable as locals and visitors anticipate the first "They're off!' at post-time, about 1 p.m. this afternoon.

Summer in Saratoga is exciting. At the Tang Museum at Skidmore College, where since April 1st of this year I put in my 9-to-5, or today, noon-to-8, we're celebrating our summer exhibitions with a kick-off reception tomorrow evening, followed by an old-fashioned barbecue. As the Events Manager, I have a wonderful time planning for such occasions. At a recent staff meeting, I noted that "I feel like I'm getting paid to go to parties!" Indeed, I am, but I also have a share of hefty responsibilities and a hectic schedule that is well suited to my personality, so it's a great gig for me. Sometimes, things do just fall into place!

This is also the time for the annual Saratoga County Fair. My good friend, Catherine Golden, just heard that she won a slew of ribbons (9!) for her entries in the home-made jam competition! I have been  a fan of Catherine's jams for years. My favorite is her apricot jam, though I love all of them. Catherine, a professor of English at Skidmore, is a passionate jam maker. She picks all her own fruits and berries, and has a stash of jams stored in her home that guarantees gifts of jams to her friends for every occasion. I use many of her flavors in my jam thumb print cookies at Christmas time.

Just the other day, I was inspired by Catherine's jams to create a new sandwich. At the Tang, we had a reception Wednesday evening, and one of the appetizers was a mini-grilled cheese sandwich with a layer of apricot jam inside. It was absolutely delicious, and I couldn't wait to get home to try a lunch-sized version of this lovely little sandwich. I tested it out yesterday morning, early, before work. (It became my breakfast!). I think it's a perfect combination of sweet and savory. Try this, either cut into little appetizers or as two big halves on your lunch plate. I bet you'll love it!

JAM-PACKED GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

2 slices of your favorite bread (I used Freihofer's Country White)
2 slices Land-o-Lakes yellow American Cheese
1 tablespoon jam (Apricot is great!)
soft butter

Spread one side of each slice of bread with soft butter.  Place one slice, buttered side down, on med-to-hot griddle or frying pan.  Lay cheese over bread in pan. Spread jam over cheese. Place other slice of bread, buttered side out, on top of cheese.  Grill until nicely golden on the bottom and cheese starts to melt.  Carefully flip (jam can get slippery when it gets warm) and cook on other side until done.

Enjoy your new favorite grilled cheese sandwich!

14 comments:

  1. NEVER would have thought to combine cheese with jam.Trying this for lunch today....CKJ

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  2. I had a sandwich similar to that at Lakeside Farms many years ago, the only thing different was they put smoked turkey in with all the same ingredients in your sandwich.....yummy.

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  3. YES! I love this idea!! You can really be so creative with grilled cheese sandwiches!

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    1. I know, Colleen! This reminds me of a fancy brie-en-crote, only not so fancy-schmancy!

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  4. I'd try it but Rod made a face that would stop a clock! He is to much of a purist to put jam on his grilled cheese! He's no fun! LOL Lynnie

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    1. You can try it for yourself, though, Lynnie! Let Rod keep his traditions, and you can push the envelope! :)

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  5. Love that you shared this. I have my version to share with you. This sandwich is great on one of those rustic crusty breads they sell in the markets. I love mine with ham & swiss cheese. And jam of course!

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    1. Fran, that sounds amazing! I was thinking turkey and cranberry jelly! Yum! No wonder grilled cheese sandwiches are such a trend right now! Thanks Fran!!!

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  6. I do a turkey/ cranberry sauce/ romaine lettuce/ ranch dressing on a flour tortilla rolled up that you would enjoy but I love the idea of the turkey/cranberry with the grilled cheese. Check this place out. We have two in Louisville.
    http://tomandchee.com/

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  7. I have never thought to put jam in a grilled cheese, but it sounds amazing! I bet the sweet and salty combo is delicious, I'll have to try this out!

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    1. Hi Cate! I do love the sweet/savory contrast in this sandwich! Congrats on your blog!!! I hope a lot of my readers visit your site and fb page, and "like" it a lot! Thank you!

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