Not Your Ordinary Grilled Cheese
By Laura Werlin
In this recipe, tortilla chips are on the outside of the bread to give the sandwich its corn-like flavor and to give you the ability to enjoy all the flavors – the guacamole, bacon, cheeses, and corn chips– all at once. Although I prefer using Colby and Monterey Jack separately, in this recipe, you can use the combination cheese, Colby-Jack, if you prefer.
Laura Werlin’s Chips & Guacamole Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
For the Grilled Cheese
- 8 slices bacon
- 8 large tortilla chips (about 2 ounces)
- 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 1/2 cup guacamole (recipe follows; or use purchased preferably one with tomato in it)
- 2 tablespoons peeled, seeded, finely diced (1/4-inch) Roma tomato (see Note)
- 4 ounces Colby cheese, coarsely grated
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, coarsely grated
- 4 ounces goat cheese
Guacamole
- 1 ripe Hass avocado
- 1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons finely diced white onion
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- 1/2 serrano chile, minced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cored, seeded and diced Roma tomato
Instructions
Grilled Cheese
Line a plate with paper towels. In a large nonstick skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until very crisp. Drain the bacon on the paper towels. Remove the bacon fat from the pan and wipe the pan with a paper towel, but do not wash it. Set aside.
To make the tortilla chip butter, put the chips in the bowl of a food processor and process until the texture is very fine, similar to sand. Alternatively, place the chips in a sturdy plastic bag. Using a meat mallet or other heavy object, pound the chips until they are the texture of sand.
Put the butter in a medium bowl and add the ground chips. Using a fork, work the chip “sand” and butter together until well mixed. The mixture will be somewhat stiff.
To assemble: Spread the butter mixture on one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices, butter-chip mixture side down, on your work surface. Spread 2 tablespoons of the guacamole on each slice of bread. Sprinkle the tomato on top of the guacamole, if using. Follow with the Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. Dot with small pieces of the goat cheese. Finish by placing two bacon pieces on each sandwich. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
For stovetop method: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Put the sandwiches into the pan, cover, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the undersides are golden brown. Watch carefully because the chips in the butter can burn easily. Turn the sandwiches, pressing each one firmly with a spatula to compress the filling slightly. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the undersides are well browned. Turn the sandwiches once more, press firmly with the spatula again, cook for 1 minute, and remove from the pan. Let cool 5 minutes. Cut in half and serve.
For sandwich maker method: Use your sandwich maker for this sandwich only if you have variable heat settings. Otherwise, it will cook too hot and burn the chips on the bread without melting the cheese. To use your sandwich maker, follow directions for assembly above. Cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.
NOTE There’s no need to use the tomato if your guacamole already has tomato in it.
Guacamole
Makes about 1 cup
Split and pit the avocado and mash the flesh in a medium bowl with the lime juice and salt, using a potato masher or a fork. Do not use a blender or food processor. You want to keep the avocado slightly chunky, not make it soupy. Stir in the onion, cilantro, chile, and tomato. Let sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Note: This makes more than you need for the sandwiches. Serve the remaining guacamole with chips alongside.
From Grilled Cheese, Please! by Laura Werlin
