Celebrating National Grilled Cheese Month

It is most likely no surprise that I am a  lover of the grilled cheese sandwhich. I probably have it for lunch or dinner, once a week and I always make it the same way.  Bread, slice of cheddar, shredded italian cheese and lots of butter!  The shredded cheese can be a bit messy during the flip portion of the cooking process but I don't care because I have found it to be just so darn good this way and once you find the perfect combination of cheeses for your sandwhich, it becomes really hard to change it at all.  However, since April is National Grilled Cheese month, I thought it would be fitting to celebrate this tried and true sandwhich by changing it up just a bit. I did some digging around, searching for something to pep up my standard grilled cheese sandwich, and found many many different variations but one in particular intrigued me.  For some reason I seem to be really drawn to the sweet and salty flavor combinations lately.

Apple & Bacon Grilled Cheese modified from a Tyler Florence recipe found on Food Network

Ingredients:
2 slices of bread (I used Orowheat Oatnut, but use whatever bread you prefer)
1 slice Cheddar Cheese
Shredded Italian blend cheese, a good handful will do wonders!
2 slices of bacon, cooked
Thin slices of a Granny Smith Apple
Butter
Dijon Mustard

Directions:
1. Butter the bottom of each slice of bread. 
2. Spread one slice with dijon mustard, add slice of chedder, bacon, handful of shredded italian blend cheese and bacon and cover with the second slice of  buttered bread. 
3.  Place the sandwhich on a skillet, set to medium high heat.  I allow mine to cook about four or five minutes then flip and cook an additional four or five minutes.  I like mine nice and golden brown color.
4.  Cut sandwhich in half and enjoy! 

After painting our countertops last week, we got the painting bug and decided to paint the entire kitchen.  I decided two things: 1. I really hate painting and 2. I love my fresh "new"& improved kitchen, so it was well worth all the horrible, wretched work!