Grilled Cheese Mix-Ins

on November 27, 2011
in All Posts

Hello, hello!

IMG_4714

I spent my Sunday 1) in the kitchen and 2) in Nicole’s living room, engaging in an epic catch-up sesh.  The activities kind of overlapped because my oven is still broken, and I needed a place to bake my gingerbread cookies.  So I hauled my dough to Nicole’s, popped my little guys in her oven, and settled into her couch.  It was a great way to spend a Sunday, indeed.

 

My kitchen shows the damage from making 36 cookies, though.

IMG_4704

If you come help me clean, I’ll give you a gingerbread man!

IMG_4703

Or you can make your own – I love this recipe from Martha Stewart and make a batch every year, for a bake sale or a Christmas celebration.  They are definite crowd pleasers. 

 

I also made some cranberry-orange relish.  Not sure if it turned out yet, though.

IMG_4706

And last, but not least, I made these amazing grilled cheese sandwiches.  Grilled cheese, in my opinion, is a highly underrated sandwich.  As long as you use good, super sharp cheddar – the Kraft squares just don’t do it for me – you are destined for a great sandwich. 

IMG_4700

However, I also love to mix in unique toppings with my sandwiches.   Such as:

 

Thin apple slices

A drizzle of pesto

Tomatoes

Spinach

Fresh basil leaves

Pineapple rings

Chopped dried apricots

 

As a matter of fact, I might go eat another grilled cheese sandwich for dinner…

 

Did you spend some of Sunday in the kitchen?  What did you make?

{ 58 comments }

 

  • aim November 27, 2011, 7:03 pm

    Epic gossip sesh? That’s not good. Isn’t that completely against what you teach girls at GOTR and in your books?

    • CaitlinHTP November 27, 2011, 7:04 pm

      @aim:

      Gossiping about our own lives and catching up is not a bad thing.

    • Kristin November 27, 2011, 9:34 pm

      SERIOUSLYYYY……why do you even read this BLOG?!!?

      • Kristin November 27, 2011, 9:36 pm

        and by “seriously” i am in shock by how analytical you are “aim”. Just to make myself clear

  • Sana November 27, 2011, 7:06 pm

    I <3 FUN gossip 😉

  • Marissa C November 27, 2011, 7:09 pm

    Dude! I made gingerbread cookies today, too! I just finished icing them! I swore I wouldn’t make any cut out cookies this year because I’m 38.5 weeks, but I’M ALL OUT OF THINGS TO “NEST” ON and I NEED TO DO SOMETHING!!!!

    Also, is that Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine dishsoap on your counter? That stuff is awesome. I bought it at Target 2 years ago and fell in love. Couldn’t find any last year, but I scored a 2 pack on Amazon for ~$8 this year.

    • Marissa C November 27, 2011, 7:10 pm

      And now I want grilled cheese…I spy a trip to Kroger in our future after church

  • Army Amy* November 27, 2011, 7:09 pm

    Grilled cheesebus my husband’s all time number one fave food!*

  • Angel November 27, 2011, 7:10 pm

    Looks like great cookies! I’m curious on the grilled cheese (and other breads that have been posted) now that you’re pregnant are you still using gluten free breads? Or do you mix in regular gluten products.

    • Caitlin November 27, 2011, 7:11 pm

      @Angel: Naw still trying to be gluten free as much as possible. The bread is Udi’s – it’s a really yummy gluten free option!

  • aim November 27, 2011, 7:10 pm

    wowsers. That was a quick change from “epic gossip sesh”, to “epic catch up sesh”..

    • Caitlin November 27, 2011, 7:11 pm

      @aim: Yes because clearly people were going to misunderstand… thanks for pointing it out!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat November 27, 2011, 7:10 pm

    Cute gingerbread man! Yep, I did spend a lot of today in the kitchen! I made maple-glazed salmon and had it for dinner … I’m still swooning at how good it was!

  • Joyce @ Jranola Joyce November 27, 2011, 7:16 pm

    Aw! Gingerbread!
    Love it 🙂

  • Heather @ Bake, Run, Live November 27, 2011, 7:23 pm

    I was in the kitchen most of the day. I made: brownies, brownie cookies, brown butter chocolate chip cookies, and a frittata. Time to relax now!

  • Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon November 27, 2011, 7:27 pm

    I’m actually a part of a nonprofit at school called FeelGood where we make gourmet grilled cheeses to raise money for The Hunger Project (www.feelgoodworld.org) so I am constantly making creative grilled cheeses! One of my favorites is cranberry jam, apple slices, cheddar, and spinach!

  • Emma November 27, 2011, 7:31 pm

    Honey is awesome on grilled cheese sandwiches! Sounds weird, but it’s great.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 27, 2011, 7:31 pm

    I spent no time in the kitchen today – instead I let WF hot bar do my work for me for lunch AND dinner. Expensive day…

  • Hillary November 27, 2011, 7:37 pm

    I love spending my Sundays in the kitchen. I made a big pot of soup for the week and some double chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies!

  • Meaghan (My Spoonful Of Inspiration) November 27, 2011, 7:38 pm

    I made apple cinnamon muffins this morning! They made the house smell GREAT!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb November 27, 2011, 7:40 pm

    i love grilled cheese! apple and bacon is one of my favorite combos.

    i was in the kitchen all morning. i baked blondies and prepared a ton of food for the hubby and his friends who were over watching football. i now have a massive mess to clean up…

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 27, 2011, 7:56 pm

    Sounds like the perfect catch up session to me! Baking and chatting! We came home from being at my sister-in-law’s house for the holidays today. It was definitely a great afternoon though, cooked dinner, watched a movie with my guys and played games. Perfect way to end the holiday weekend! Enjoy your night.

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats November 27, 2011, 8:39 pm

    I did spend some time in the kitchen; I made Cabbage Lentil Soup from Clean Eating Chelsey! Sooo good! I’m having it for my lunches this week! And grilled cheese is amazing, although I’ve never tried it with anything other than tomatoes on it! I need to upgrade!

  • Tina @ Best Body Fitness November 27, 2011, 8:40 pm

    Try hummus + tomato + sharp cheddar or pepperjack. It will make you drool! By far my fave grilled cheese combo.

  • kristin November 27, 2011, 9:15 pm

    during my first tri i was so nauseas, grilled cheese was one of the few things i could stomach! I love it with really sharp high quality cheddar! too bad you are gluten free, the trader joes whole wheat tuscan bread is my fav for grilled cheese sangwiches.

  • Katie November 27, 2011, 9:33 pm

    Roasted brussel sprouts!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife November 27, 2011, 9:36 pm

    I love those mix-ins too! SO delish in a cheese sandwich 🙂

    I didn’t make anything other thank crackers and cheese smushed together. HAH. I had my fill on T-day when I baked 60 rolls. Yikes.

  • Maria November 27, 2011, 10:07 pm

    My favorite grilled cheese is swiss and pickles. Not very grown-up, but ohh soo good!

  • colleen November 27, 2011, 10:11 pm

    I was in the kitchen long enough to make our traditional holiday treat – round pretzels filled with melted almond bark and topped with plain m&ms – and chicken noodle soup.

  • Katie (Sweet Tater) November 27, 2011, 10:15 pm

    that cookie was so.damn.good.

  • Amber @ Bold, Busy, Blessed November 27, 2011, 10:26 pm

    You can gossip with your friends without my judgment 😉 I love grilled cheese! Those add ins sound good, I’ve always wanted to make a pesto, mozz, tomato grilled cheese. I’ve also heard of people making a jalapeno popper style grilled cheese, yum!

    I made some TJ’s spinach tortellini and baked them with veggies and cheese in vodka sauce. It was tasty!

  • Luv What You Do November 27, 2011, 11:41 pm

    I have cranberries in my fridge. Let us know how the relish turns out!

  • Alexis November 27, 2011, 11:42 pm

    Avocado + tomato = my favorite grilled cheese!! (I know you’re allergic to avocados:) just throwing it out there haha)

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing November 27, 2011, 11:58 pm

    Ooo I love grilled cheese with sharp cheddar and apple slices! Yum!

  • Laura @ She Eats Well November 28, 2011, 12:12 am

    I usually spend Sunday’s in the kitchen, but this Sunday, however, I was lazy and got a pedicure. But then I did yoga! This Sunday I am thankful for my freezer :). I defrosted some homemade roasted tomato garlic soup…tasted like I made it just today :).

  • Rachel November 28, 2011, 12:17 am

    red velvet cream cheese brownies. yes, they were as amazing as they sound! 😀

    http://www.freutcake.com/in-the-kitchen/craving-red-velvet-brownies/

  • Khushboo November 28, 2011, 12:18 am

    Yum I love apple with cheese! I made a delicious “waffiza” with a Mexican twist for lunch yesterday- my base was a savory waffle and I topped it with salsa, grated cheddar, mushrooms, peppers and grilled it in the oven- heavenly!

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ November 28, 2011, 6:48 am

    Fancy schmany grilled cheese! I made turkey taco soup, roasted veggies and chili pepper yams! Not to be consumed together but it was a great day for batch cooking 🙂

  • Marty November 28, 2011, 6:48 am

    I recently made a spinach lasagna where you can use UNCOOKED noodles and it turns out perfect every time. Only takes 10 minutes to prepare (minus the baking time) and make 8 large pieces…hot, cheesy and satisfying.

  • Nicole Mullins November 28, 2011, 7:23 am

    Lol, I had so many grilled cheese sandwiches when I was pregnant! They’re easy to make and so good! Back then my favorite way to eat it was dipped in white gravy, lol! Now I stick to a schmear of pesto or mayonnaise though.

  • Coco November 28, 2011, 7:26 am

    I do love grilled cheese 🙂 anything with cheese is a good idea!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 28, 2011, 7:29 am

    I totally agree about the cheese. Even as a kid, I hated the Kraft cheese slices!

    Apples on grilled cheese are amazing. Especially with some honey mustard!

  • Michele Albert November 28, 2011, 7:56 am

    I love grilled cheese! Have you tried brie with raspberry jam on chocolate cherry bread? It is more like a dessert than a sandwich but my word is it awesome!

    I spent my Sunday wrapping the Christmas gifts that need to be mailed and used up the last of our leftover smoked turkey by making enchiladas.

  • Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous November 28, 2011, 8:00 am

    Tis the season for baking Christmas cookies!

  • Amanda November 28, 2011, 8:09 am

    I spent almost no time in the kitchen yesterday and survived on leftovers! It was wonderful, but it’s back to cooking today.

    You’re inspiring me to give that gingerbread recipe a try. Yours are adorable!

  • Lauren November 28, 2011, 8:33 am

    I love that gingerbread cookie recipe! I didn’t cook on Sunday, just survived on leftovers, but I baked whole grain cranberry orange muffins on Saturday morning (after a run!) and I brought a few to my grandparents, cran-orange are their favorite!

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION November 28, 2011, 8:42 am

    I use Martha Stewart’s gingerbread recipe too. It’s no fail and everyone raves about it. Such a hit, every year. 😀

  • Kelly November 28, 2011, 9:07 am

    I never thought of adding in chopped apricots…now that sounds awesome!

  • Robyne November 28, 2011, 10:53 am

    I totally love cranberry. Please share the recipe with us.
    I spent sunday making Gingerbread cookies with my grandaughter. Only we use Duncans cookie mix. It makes great cookies with less measuring.!

  • Lindsey November 28, 2011, 10:58 am

    I did, I made turkey chili for supper and also made salted caramel shortbread and oatmeal, white chocolate cranberry cookies 🙂
    Last week I made a grilled cheese with pear slices, brie cheese, chicken, spinach and cranberry sauce it was really good!

  • Dee November 28, 2011, 1:06 pm

    Gingerbread cookies! Yum. I spent Sunday evening making turkey noodle soup from the last of the turkey. Turned out pretty well!

  • Amber K November 28, 2011, 1:22 pm

    I actually stayed out of the kitchen, but I did get to pick up my van! It’s hopefully going to actually work now. So frustrating when cars don’t want to cooperate. I love gingerbread men! I made some gluten-free ones last year, but I think I want to improve upon the recipe because it wasn’t the best.

  • Axel November 28, 2011, 2:21 pm

    A Grilled Cheese Sandwich is one of the highest rated foods in our house -> not underrated. I’ll be trying that Pesto trick… I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself!

  • Kelsie November 28, 2011, 5:53 pm

    Brown sugar on grilled cheese is absolutely incredible…just a little sprinkle

  • Joanna November 28, 2011, 9:44 pm

    I just got cookie cutters for my birthday. Can’t wait to try Martha’s gingerbread recipe. Thanks for sharing!

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel November 28, 2011, 10:52 pm

    I was never into grilled cheese when I was younger (I know, so odd) and have probably had it maybe twice in my life…but lately I’ve been reconsidering! I keep seeing people get crafty with it like you are, so I should try those mix-ins!

  • kristen @ livinlifeinlouie November 28, 2011, 11:30 pm

    I love baking cookies!

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) November 29, 2011, 4:06 pm

    OH, sweetie, I’d come clean up with you anytime…just to chat at you a bit! Glad you had a great weekend and I hope your week is going stellar as well! (Now, save me some cookies, I’ll be there by 5! Ok, not really but still, I’ll take some cookies!)

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point