Thursday, February 3, 2011

Bacon Cheddar Guacamole Grilled Cheese


I just sent out a newsletter to readers who have signed up on the mailing list on my website. For those of you who received the newsletter, I apologize for a second posting of this recipe, but it got a lot of email response, so I wanted to share it with our MLK readers.

To prepare for the newsletter, I was thinking about new year's resolutions and, in the process, reading up on Mark Twain. The man was so brilliant. His words are famous. They make me laugh, think, even cry. Oh, to be that talented. What inspired me as I read was this quote:

"A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval. There is nothing more satisfying than that sense of being completely "at home" in your own skin. When you achieve that as a natural state of "being", then you can finally look beyond yourself and fully contribute all your talents to the world."

Oh, wow, do I ever want to achieve that state of comfort in my lifetime!!!

In the meantime, I seek solace in good food, good wine, good friends, and good books. (I think Twain did the same).

Also in the meantime, I was researching cheddar cheeses. Cheddar originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. Cheddar Gorge, a limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills near the village, is the site where Britain's oldest complete human skeleton (Cheddar Man, about 9,000 years old) was found in 1903. HOW COOL IS THAT FOR A MYSTERY WRITER TO KNOW?

Now, I'm not sure if Mark Twain liked cheese, but if he did, with his sharp tongue, I'd bet he would have preferred cheddar. So I've named this recipe (the one from the newsletter) after him.

BACON CHEDDAR GUACAMOLE GRILLED CHEESE

or The Mark Twain Special


Ingredients:

(serves 2)

4 strips of bacon, cooked crisply

4 ounces Cheddar cheese

2 ounces Unie Kaas Robusto (or other cow milk cheese)

Guacamole (recipe to follow)

4 slices bread

2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Cook the bacon as crisply as you prefer. Drain on paper towels.

Prepare the guacamole (according to recipe).

Butter the bread on one side. Heat a griddle on medium. Lay all four pieces of bread on the griddle, butter-side down. Layer with cheese and guacamole on one side and cheese and bacon on the other.

Cook the half-sandwiches until the cheese melts. Stack the two sides together and cover with a

lid or piece of foil to finish the melting process.

Serve warm and enjoy.

*Note: Because of the guacamole, this is a hard sandwich to slice. Prepare to get messy.





GUACAMOLE

Ingredients:

1 avocado

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon sour cream

Dash of white pepper

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

A trick for peeling the avocado. Slice in half, remove pit. Using a spoon, scoop out the contents.

Put avocado and other ingredients in a bowl. Whip together. Cover tightly to prevent air from getting to the guacamole until you are ready to use.

Note: This is gluten-free if you use gluten-free bread. ( I did. It was yummy.)

Also note: This guacamole would go great with chips for Super Bowl Sunday.

Enjoy and think positive thoughts!!!

******
A SNEAK PREVIEW of LOST AND FONDUE is now up on my website. Click here. If you'd like to know more about A Cheese Shop Mystery series and want to download a few other recipes from me (on recipe cards), click on this link to my website: Avery Aames. I've posted recipes in the "morsels" section. There's lots of other fun stuff, as well.

And sign up for the mailing list to get in on the next contest...coming every two weeks as I approach the launch of L&F in May.

Say cheese!


16 comments:

  1. The Mark Twain special! I love it! I think you nailed the sharp tongue aspect and cheddar was a good pick. Love the bacon, love the guacamole. This looks like a treat!

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  2. I'm going to have to give this one a try! But, I'll be the only one eating it. For some bizarre reason, NO ONE except me in my family likes guacamole! On the other hand, I'm sure they'll love bacon cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches!

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  3. Not a fan of guacamole, but love bacon cheddar grilled cheese sandwich.

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  4. Well, it seems we have a little something for everyone, then, doesn't it? Perhaps I should have called this the Mark Twain you pick the combo sandwich. LOL!

    As Eleanor Roosevelt said: "Somehow we learn who we really are and then live with that decision." I think that comes to food as well as life.

    ~Avery
    AveryAames.com

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  5. What a treat for my son next visit. He loves grilled cheese sandwiches. And bacon. And guacamole. He'll think I'm so clever! Thanks for this.

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  6. This sounds amazing, Avery! I plan to pick up some avocados and try it this weekend.

    It will give a real kick to the Saturday afternoon grilled cheese and tomato soup.

    And thanks for the sneak preview. I can't wait!!

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  7. I've been told to place the pit of the avocado at the bottom of the guacamole. They say it will keep the guacamole looking fresh.

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  8. Num! The vegie bacon doesn't always substitute for the real deal, but I bet it would work well here. And this sounds delish. :)

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  9. What a great story! And I just love sandwiches, cheese, bacon, and guacamole, so this is right up my alley. No avocados in the house today, but I think I may just go fry up some bacon. You've made my stomach growl. No kidding.

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  10. Angeline, yes, a pit of an avocado tucked into the guacamole keeps it from turning "brown." It's a great tip. The touch of lemon in the recipe helps, too.

    Veggie bacon...might work, Wendy. I've never had veggie bacon. Does it fry up crisp? What's in it?

    Julie - yes, this sounds like a good breakfast, too, does it? Toast the bread, throw the rest into scrambled eggs. Oh, yum! Now I'm hungry.

    Erika - I love when my son thinks I'm clever. So I'm right with you on that point! LOL

    And Harbinger - thanks for reading the sneak preview. Hope you enjoyed.

    ~Avery

    AveryAames.com
    @AveryAames

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  11. I'm sure Mark Twain is honored. Perfect for the Super Bowl!

    ~ Krista

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  12. Avery, thanks for the history tidbits, the sneak peek, and for inspiring my
    lunch today. I had my 'Mark Twain Special' with a cup of Tomato-Basil soup, and it was soo good
    and warming, esp. since it's only 28 degrees outside!

    I thought it a nice coincidence that you named it after the great man,
    as I've currently got a "hold" at our library on his recently released autobiography,and hope to
    have the book in my hot little hands sometime within the next week.

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  13. Everyone in my family will be blown away by this!

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  14. Krista, I hope Twain is. :)
    Lynn, so thrilled I could inspire your lunch. Nice coincidence regarding the book you're going to read. Love it!
    MJ - Blown away might be a touch dramatic, but okay...thrilled. Ha!
    ~Avery

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  15. Fun post - and I have to tell you that there is a famous diner here in Queens (on Northern Blvd.) called The Mark Twain Diner. They would love this sandwich! Cheers!

    ~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  16. The Mark Twain Diner. I must go. Thanks, Cleo!

    ~Avery

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