Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Let me introduce you to my lazy way of making jalapeno poppers.

Instead of all that stuffing and baking/frying, I simply dump all the flavours into the best lunch ever - a grilled cheese sandwich!


And on the subject of sandwiches, these guys were so hard to photograph. I had the worst time with them! Thankfully, what they lack in being photo-worthy, they make up for in taste.

So, have you guys ever made grilled cheese sandwiches? What about jalapeno poppers? This super-easy recipe will have you do both at the same time. In my lazy way of course and in a way that is simple enough for a quick lunch or dinner.

All we do is mix soft cream cheese with the classic jalapeno popper flavours. We're talking paprika, garlic powder and onion granules. For the jalapeno part, I used pickled. They're so much easier than the fresh. Then, we spread the cream cheese onto bread which has been buttered on the outside. Pile on plenty of grated Cheddar and cook in a hot pan until deep golden and crispy all over. Slice and enjoy all that molten, spicy cheese immediately. You guys will love these! 

Hot Sandwiches, previously: sweet + spicy BBQ chicken brioche sandwiches // coriander chilli cheese toast // grilled cheese and salami sandwich

A Simple List of Ingredients: 

1. Cream / Soft Cheese

2. Paprika
3. Onion Granules
4. Garlic Salt (or a mixture of garlic powder and salt)
5. Black Pepper
6. Pickled Jalapenos
7. Bread
8. Butter
9. Mature Cheddar Cheese

Bismillah, let's begin!

Our first job is to mix together the jalapeno cream cheese. We'll be using cream/soft cheese, pickled jalapenos, onion granules, pepper, paprika and garlic salt.

Into a mixing bowl, place 200 grams Cream/Soft Cheese, at room temperature. Full fat or light both work here but be sure that the cheese is at room temperature!

Next, the flavourings. Add:

1 teaspoon Paprika

1 teaspoon Onion Granules

1 teaspoon Garlic Salt (or a mixture of garlic powder and salt)

1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Give everything a good mix.

Then, taste and adjust the spices accordingly. Go easy on the salt though because we will be adding lots of cheese to our sandwiches later.

For the jalapenos, I went with pickled jalapenos. I find them easier to work with but you can use fresh, if you like.

Take Pickled Jalapenos, to taste.

Give them a chop and add to the cream cheese. Stir and taste. Add more, if you want it spicier.

Before assembling the sandwiches, place a frying pan over a low heat to heat up.

To make the sandwiches, we'll need:

The jalapeno cream cheese we just made

Soft Butter

6 slices Bread

140 grams Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated

To make one sandwich, take 2 slices of Bread.

Spread one side of each slice with Soft Butter. The more butter you spread, the more golden your sandwich will be. Just saying.

Turn both slices over.

Spread the second side of each slice with the Jalapeno Cream Cheese.

Then, onto one slice, place Grated Cheddar Cheese.

Place the second slice on top with the butter side facing up.

So, both of the sides facing out should be buttered on the sandwich.

Use a spatula to carefully place the sandwich into the now-hot pan. There is no need for any oil here because both sides of the bread have been buttered.

I found that over a low-medium heat, 2 minutes per side was enough for each sandwich.

After 2 minutes on the first side, carefully flip and listen out for the sizzle.

A final 2 minutes and we are done!

Once both sides are deep golden and the cheese has melted, remove carefully with a spatula.

You can add any extras you like to these sandwiches - I went with sliced tomato and dried oregano.

Cook the remaining sandwiches in the same way.

I made three sandwiches from this recipe with a little of the cream cheese leftover. If you add less cream cheese, you may find that you can make more. And of course, you can double the recipe as you like!

These are going to be good! I kept them on wire racks to keep them crispy on both sides!

Serve immediately with whatever you like - for me, cucumber, tomato and sour cream sweet chilli crisps. Enjoy!

Full Written Recipe:

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Prep Time: About 10 minutes.

Cook Time: About 4 minutes per sandwich.

Serves: Makes 3 sandwiches.

Ingredients

For the Jalapeno Cream Cheese

200 grams Cream/Soft Cheese, at room temperature

1 teaspoon Paprika

1 teaspoon Onion Granules

1 teaspoon Garlic Salt (or a mixture of Salt and Garlic Powder)

¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Pickled Jalapenos, chopped and to taste

For the Sandwiches

6 slices Bread

Butter, at room temperature and as needed

140 grams Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated

Any extras that you want to add in – for example, sliced tomato and dried oregano.

Method

To make the jalapeno cream cheese, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Taste and adjust, as needed.

To make the grilled cheese sandwiches, place a frying pan over a medium-low heat.

Take two slices of bread and butter them. Turn over and spread with the jalapeno cream cheese. Sprinkle one slice with grated Cheddar. Then, sandwich the two together.

To cook, place the sandwich in the hot pan and cook on a medium-low heat for 2 minutes on each side until it is deep golden and the cheese has melted.

To serve, slice in half and enjoy immediately!

{Inspired by Laura in the Kitchen + The Domestic Geek}

This Time Two Years Ago:

Family Lunches + Scones + Daffodils

This Time Three Years Ago:

Raheelas' Tea Party

Keep me in your duas please, and enjoy your sandwiches,

Wasalaam!