This month’s Recipe Redux prompt was about getting back to the dinner table. Coming back from vacation, getting back into a routine, and sitting down to eat a healthy dinner together. After a vacation (especially one with many indulgent treats) there is nothing I want more than to eat a huge salad. Well, after a million cuddles with my kitties.
The problem with that? The LAST thing I want to do on my drive home from the airport or at the end of a road trip is to swing by the grocery store and restock my fridge. So instead for this recipe I focused on something incredibly easy (duh, what’s easier than a grilled cheese?) with ingredients I would normally have floating around my fridge, pantry, and freezer. Let running to the grocery store be future Kelly’s problem. Plus, this is perfect for squashing a craving for a greasy cheeseburger, if you’re into that sort of thing.
For me, the first meal when I get back from a trip will determine how well I slip back into healthy eating habits. If I let myself grab a pizza or snack on junk, I’m probably going to keep doing that and put off making good choices. This sandwich isn’t the most veggie backed dinner, so dig out any veggies left in your crisper or even grab some from the freezer to round this out as a healthy meal. Are frozen veggies the *most* ideal when it’s summer time? Obviously not. But when you’re just getting back into the swing of things, you need all the shortcuts you can get without resorting to a bag of greasy potato chips for dinner.
Cheese (any kind,, regular or vegan; I used cheddar and colby jack)
Ketchup
Mustard
Red Onion
Pickle
Whole Grain Bread
Butter (vegan butter, coconut oil, olive oil — all are okay swaps)
Instructions
Heat a nonstick pan over medium or medium/low heat.
Prepare your sandwiches by buttering the outside of the bread. Layer a slice of cheese on the non-buttered side, top with ketchup, mustard, onion, and pickle, then the other cheese slice. Top with another slice of bread (butter side up).
Carefully place in the hot skillet. Let cook for a few minutes and flip when the bread has browned. Cook until both sides are browned.
Notes
Adjust the amounts of each ingredient based on preference and how many sandwiches you want to make. It’s important to put the ketchup and mustard between slices of cheese or the bread will get a little soggy.
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We’ve been loving grilled cheese lately, especially with roasted tomatoes and jalapenos on top! I love peppers + cheese. I think it’s grilled cheese for dinner again tonight, thanks to your yumminess!
Your ingredient list gave me the best chuckle ever – just add ketchup should be my motto. I’m seriously drooling over this grilled cheese like crazy! I think it’s high time I made one for breakfast!
I’ve been really no into going grocery shopping and cooking big meals these days and unfortunately I can’t blame that on going on a vacation! I love these grilled cheese! Pickles, mustard and onion with melty cheese is exactly what I need right now
We’ve been loving grilled cheese lately, especially with roasted tomatoes and jalapenos on top! I love peppers + cheese. I think it’s grilled cheese for dinner again tonight, thanks to your yumminess!
Your ingredient list gave me the best chuckle ever – just add ketchup should be my motto. I’m seriously drooling over this grilled cheese like crazy! I think it’s high time I made one for breakfast!
Hey, a grilled cheese is a grilled cheese – always delicious. Healthy or not.
I’ve been really no into going grocery shopping and cooking big meals these days and unfortunately I can’t blame that on going on a vacation! I love these grilled cheese! Pickles, mustard and onion with melty cheese is exactly what I need right now
Taking grilled cheese to the next level! I will have to try this some time:)
I think the fact that you actually cooked when you got home is a feat in and of itself! That deserves a pat on the back.