Pepper Jack Melts Recipes

GUACAMOLE CHICKEN MELT

Steps:

• Preheat oven broiler, and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and pan-fry the chicken breasts for about 10 minutes per side until no longer pink on the inside and golden brown on the outside, sprinkling each side with Creole seasoning.
• Scoop the avocados into a bowl, and mash them with the lime juice, tomato, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Spoon about 1/3 cup of guacamole onto each chicken breast, top with a slice of pepper jack cheese, and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

TUNA EGG SALAD MELTS

Steps:

• Heat the broiler to high and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Add the tuna, chopped eggs, celery, dill pickles, pickled jalapeños and scallions to a mixing bowl. Mix to incorporate and to break up any large chunks of tuna. Set aside.
• Add the mayonnaise, mustard and smoked paprika to a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the mayonnaise mixture to the tuna mixture and use a rubber spatula to mix until evenly combined. Season to taste.
• Arrange the bread on the foil-lined baking sheet. Divide the tuna mixture evenly among the slices of bread. Top the tuna with a few slices of tomato. Sprinkle the tomato with salt and pepper. Top the tomatoes with the pepper jack cheese.
• Transfer the baking sheet to the broiler and broil until the cheese is bubbling and melted, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board, then slice in half and serve immediately.

PATTY MELTS WITH BACON, CHARRED PINEAPPLE AND JALAPEñO PIMIENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• For the patty melts: Preheat a grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a cooling rack.
• Lay the bacon on a baking sheet and cook until crispy, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve the bacon fat.
• Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper and divide into 4 equal balls. Shape the balls into flat 5-inch square patties and place on a platter or sheet pan. Make a dimple in the center of each so they cook evenly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the pimiento cheese: Pulse together the pepper jack cheese, pimientos, mayonnaise and jalapeños in a food processor. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside at room temperature, or if making ahead, take out 30 minutes before using. The mixture should be easily spreadable.
• For the patty melts: Have a clean baking sheet or platter ready for all the finished grilled components. Pat the pineapple dry and add to the grill; cook until lightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the pineapple and add the patties. Cook until the patties are browned and have grill marks, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Add the patties to the baking sheet.
• To assemble the sandwiches: Mix the butter with 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat in a small bowl. Spread one side of all the bread with the butter. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pimiento cheese on the other side of the bread. Place the bread on the grill, butter-side down. Add 2 slices bacon directly to four of the bread slices on the pimiento cheese. Top with a patty and a slice of pineapple, then top with the other toasted slice of bread, butter-side up.
• Serve warm.

PEPPER JACK BREAD CHORIZO MELTS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup flour, the buttermilk and sugar. Stir in yeast and set aside.
• Using a food processor, pulse the remaining 2 3/4 cups flour, the butter and 1 tsp salt until pea-size crumbs form, 15-30 seconds.
• Add 1 cup cheese and the roasted red pepper and pulse a few times to combine.
• Add 2 eggs and the reserved buttermilk mixture and pulse until dough comes together to form a ball, about 30 seconds.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and, with floured hands, knead until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Pat the dough into a 4 x 8-inch rectangle. Working from the long side, roll up the dough and transfer to a greased 9-inch loaf pan.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees.
• Beat the remaining egg with 1 tsp salt and brush the mixture on the loaf.
• Bake until golden, about 45 minutes, tenting the bread with foil if it starts to get too dark. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
• Remove the bread from the pan and transfer to a rack to cool.
• Preheat the broiler.
• In a large skillet, cook the chorizo over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Cut off 4 thick bread slices and toast, turning once, under the broiler.
• Spread with mayonnaise on 1 side and place on a baking sheet.
• Top the toasts with 3 tomato slices each, the chopped chorizo and the remaining 1 cup cheese; season with salt.
• Broil until the chesse melts.

SPICY TUNA MELT

Steps:

• Heat broiler, with rack in top position. In a medium bowl, mix together tuna, salsa, and mayonnaise; season with salt and pepper. Cut baguette in half lengthwise and place, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Top with tuna mixture and pepper Jack cheese, and broil until cheese melts and begins to turn golden, 5 minutes. To serve, cut into pieces and sprinkle with parsley.

PEPPER JACK TRISCUIT SNACKS (SUPER EASY)

Steps:

• Slice pepper jack cheese into 20 bite-sized pieces that will fit on top of each Triscuit.
• Place Triscuits on microwaveable plate. Place slice of cheese on top of each Triscuit. Place plate in microwave and heat for 20 seconds or until cheese melts.
• Enjoy.