Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Grown Up: Brie & Bacon Grilled Cheese with Fig Jam



It's no big secret that I love me some bacon around here.  Like hard core.  It's even noted in my Twitter profile, along with butter and living room dance parties, to you know, dance off some of that tasty saturated fat.  While I'm still reigning things in when it comes to decadence, I'm nowhere near swearing off my good buddy bacon.  The thing is, if I'm going to have it, I'm going to make it count.  Rather than snarfing it off the baking tray, hot from the oven, and just wolfing it down like a crazy person, eating bacon is going to be a production, enjoyed occasionally and with fanfare- like dancing around the living room afterwards. 




True story:  a little over a week ago I had this crazy night shift at work, cooking off 100 pounds of bacon and breakfast sausage for this über huge breakfast for 500 hungry men.  Ooooh the temptation - the bacon, not the dudes! - but get this:  I never once snarfed a piece of bacon off the trays, and Lord I was tempted.  But the breakfast sausage - that's another story....Anyway, came home at 3 in the morning and I thought the cats were going to eat me alive.  Where was this story going anyway?  Oh yes, my triumphant willpower coming to the rescue.  But I was saving it up for this sandwich, which I've been looking forward to for days and days and it did not disappoint.




So check it.  I don't think I've blogged about a single sandwich in the last 114 posts...pizza, yes, French toast, yes (oh yes!) but nary a sandwich in the bunch.  It's not like I don't eat them; they are like a cook's best friend - in a hurry you slap some good salami and decent cheese between whatever bread you can get your hands on and you eat it while catching your breath leaning up against a counter preferably away from all of the chaos.  Lucky days you take your sandwich and actually sit down and maybe read a magazine or check your text messages to see little kisses texted to you by your lovely and handsome new boyfriend.  Yes, that happens :)




This grilled cheese is all grown up - pig and fig is a most excellent combination already, then add brie to the mix and frankly it's wondrous.  I almost used goat cheese, and I think next time I want to make bacon count in my life, I'll re-do this sandwich with that instead.  Why not?  Experimenting is fun!  The fig jam lends a sweetness to the salty smoky bacon and the creamy brie melts just sooooo, making you wonder why you don't put brie in your sandwiches more often.  I bought some delicious walnut & currant bread from my favourite bakery here in Saskatoon, then slathered it with the fig jam, layered in about 4 pieces of bacon and 3 pieces of brie.  Crack some black pepper in there too while you're at it, then butter the outside sides of bread and fry them til golden or with a teeny bit of burnt that I like on my grilled cheese.  This sandwich is a keeper - fanfare all around!


45 comments:

  1. I am literally drooling! Where can i get some fig on the east side?

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  2. Lorie, I found fig jam at an Indian grocery store, called Swadesh, on 8th St. It totally makes the sandwich!

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  3. I'm so with you on the bacon- I have to ration it out for myself and the husband or we would be eating it for breakfast every day. :) Yes to bacon, fig, and brie!

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  4. good to know where to get the fig jam. The Swadesh store is also on 22nd. And Renee, we have the same fav bakery. Jean

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  5. This is an amazing looking sandwich. The fig jam sounds like such an intriguing addition to it.

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  6. Looks decadently divine. Great combination of flavors.

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  7. I don't know what sounds more delectable- this "pig and fig" sandwich (I do love a turn of phrase) or the new, handsome boyfriend who sends kisses! Whoo Hoo! Sounds like things are very exciting Chez Renee. Can't wait to hear more deets!

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  8. Thank you so much everyone! Shelley, things are very exciting and going oh so well. Happy dances happen regularly :)

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  9. Wow, what a fun post! You sound very carefree and excited and that sandwich has the same vibe. A little of this, little of that, enthusiastically tossing tastes together to see what happens. Very cool.

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  10. A very sophisticated grilled cheese.

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  11. I have no words, beautifully done! That bread looks so rad. (waves) hi from manitoba!

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  12. Holy. Smokes. It's after midnight and I so want to go to the kitchen and make this sandwich. Good thing I don't have any fig jam or brie in the house or I would. How awesomely yummy would that combo with bacon be? And the bread looks so beautiful. Oh Renee... you have hit my grilled cheese nerve. yum. going to go buy brie tomorrow.

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  13. What is the name of your favourite bakery???

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  14. Stephanie, I love Earthbound Bakery here in Saskatoon. Made from organic, local wheat, it's good stuff!

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  15. I have made this too, only with prosciutto !

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  16. Hi Fifi. Yes, I did cook the bacon in the oven. Just line a cookie sheet with either tin foil or parchment and lay the bacon flat. Works like a charm, and easy clean up :)

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  17. Made these tonight for dinner and they were amazing. Thanks so much for the great idea!

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  18. Sounds great, but where do I get fig jam in Pa.

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  19. Hey Anon, good question. Fig jam can be a little tricky to find. I found mine in an East Asian grocery store here. Do check ethnic grocery stores as well as those with an excellent jam section.

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  20. Check out www.louisianasweet.net. make the best homemade jams with a little " kick"!

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  21. You can also call them at 800-745-9491. They ship everywhere.

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  22. uhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...this sounds DECADENT!! Home alone, hungry, have all the ingriedents...must make this now...yummy! Taught to not talk with mouth full...Goodbye.

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  23. Wow this just made my kitchen scream! I can't wait to share this with all the @Foodies of Reachably! You should all check it out and get connected to other great recipes and food lover opinions. Thanks again for the new staple in my diet.

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  24. Absolutely delicious! Anything with bacon and brie and fig jam is bound to be a winner.

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  25. This floating cheese.... woah, this recipe and your pictures just made my day!

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  26. My cousin made me a grilled cheese sandwich with goat cheese and cranberry/pecan bread... loved it! This is just taking that idea one step further by adding delicious smoky bacon to yummy cheese and rich bread. So excited to try this tomorrow! :)

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  27. I love Braswell's fig preserves/jam -- they've been around for years and years it is definitely one of my favorite things!

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  28. Not only am I drooling, but you had me cracking up the whole time I was reading this! Thank you for the laugh and the recipe ♥

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  29. I made this today and it was VERY good. Thanks for the recipe!

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  30. I have a similar sandwich minus the bacon but add thinly sliced apple and spinac. It is amazing!

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  31. this was so damn good... nom nom nom thank you!!!

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  32. Try to bake your bacon with maple syrup and brown sugar instead of just frying it...OMG the crunch and extra sweetness was amazing...do not get me wrong yours was great just as it is. I love cooking, and trying new things. On the hunt for fig jam it can be found at whole foods and getting fresh figs in season is another great way to make it...Just some spins on a great sandwish I tried...thank you.

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  33. Just kicked off my November with this sandwich. It's BEYOND!!!

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  34. Holy cow. Okay, so I've been meaning to make this for a while, but i never seem to have had all the ingredients. Well by some miracle, I had everything on hand so I made this.
    Wow.
    I didnt fry it. Instead, I baked the bacon with some brown sugar and pepper. I also used a dense cranberry walnut bread.
    It was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Seriously.

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  35. I had this in a cafe but they used rosemary foccacia bread with everything else the same. Absolute best thing ever!

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