Ingredients
Toasties Ingredients
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4 Slices of Sourdough bread or rustic white bread
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1 C. English Cheddar cheese- Shredded
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2 Tsp. English Mustard-Tesco or Colman’s work well
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4-5 Tbsp. Bacon Jam
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1 Tbsp. Butter-Softened
Bacon Jam Ingredients
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10 slices of quality bacon- Cut into small slices
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1 Large yellow onion- Peeled and sliced thin
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2 Large shallots- Peeled and sliced thin
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1 1/2 Tbsp. Butter
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3 Tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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2 Tsp. Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
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1/2 C. Water
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1/4 C. Brown sugar- Firmly packed
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1/4 C. Red Wine Vinegar
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1 Tsp. Fresh Tarragon- Chopped
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Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
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1 Tsp. Cyprus Sea Salt
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Fresh cracked pepper
Directions
Bacon Jam Instructions
Place bacon slices in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and cook over medium heat until bacon is crispy and the rendered fat is foaming- about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and strain bacon from rendered fat, keeping fat for later.
Place bacon on a paper towel to absorb excess oils.
Return pot to medium heat and add about 2 teaspoons of the reserved bacon fat and butter in pan.
Sauté onions and 1 teaspoon salt until soft and translucent about another 8-9 minutes.
Stir in brown sugar, red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of fresh chopped Tarragon leaves, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne into onion mixture.
Add back your bacon slices. and stir in the water and reduce heat slightly.
Cook until jam is a dark-brown color and has a jam consistency, about another 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir balsamic vinegar, olive oil into jam and stir until shiny and heated through completely.
Assembly
Heat a panini grill, large grill pan, or pie iron. Spray with non stick oil spray.
Coat 1 piece of bread with butter and place butter side down on grill.
Add 1-2 Tbsp. of bacon jam on top.
Layer with half of the shredded cheese.
Spread other piece of bread with English mustard on one side and butter on other and place on top of cheese with butter side up.
Grill until both sides of toastie is brown and cheese is melted. Remove from grill.
Repeat with 2nd toastie.
Remove from grill once browned and slice in quarters for serving.
Enjoy!