Pepper Jack & Tomato Grilled Cheese

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices jalapeño-studded bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 slices pepper jack cheese

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium ripe tomato, thinly sliced

→ Spreads & Fats

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Seasonings

05 - Pinch of salt

06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How To Make:

01 - Lay out bread slices on a clean surface and butter one side of each slice.

02 - Place two slices buttered side down on a plate. Layer each with 2 slices of pepper jack cheese and half the tomato slices. Season tomatoes lightly with salt and pepper if desired.

03 - Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up, to form two complete sandwiches.

04 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.

05 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is fully melted.

06 - Remove sandwiches from skillet, let cool for 1 minute, slice diagonally in half, and serve immediately.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -

The pepper jack and jalapeño bread create this perfect slow-building heat that sneaks up on you
Fresh tomato slices add this bright juicy contrast that cuts through all that rich cheese
Takes literally 13 minutes from start to finish but tastes like something from a diner

02 -

Medium heat is not a suggestion—higher temps burn the bread before the cheese has time to melt into that perfect gooey state
Pressing too hard with your spatula squeezes out all the cheesy goodness, so gentle pressure is all you need
That 1-minute rest period prevents the cheese from immediately oozing out when you cut into it

03 -

Buttering the bread to the very edges prevents those dry, chewy strips that never quite crisp up
A light sprinkle of garlic powder on the buttered side adds another layer of flavor without being obvious

Pepper Jack & Tomato Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)