TC Recipe: Candied Bacon & Aged White Cheddar Cheese Sandwich with Granny Smith Apple

February 14 2013

By Sous Chef Danielle Lewis
Suggested Pairing: 2011 The Code: White Blend
Serves 4

Candied Bacon & Aged White Cheddar Cheese Sandwich with Granny Smith Apple

Who doesn’t love candied bacon? Put it between two slices of bread with white cheddar and tart apple and it’s satisfaction guaranteed. There is only one way to top it: pair it with The Code: White Blend. I love The Code because of its versatility with food. It works with the best of seafood, poultry, and cured meats. I appreciate that Danielle adding the tart apple to this sandwich. It really cools the candied bacon and pulls the flavors of the wine right through this otherwise rich sandwich. This is a combo for an autumn weekend afternoon. Don’t think about the calories, either. You deserve it. – Exectuvie Chef Ben Nadolny

Ingredients

8 slices black pepper bacon
2 C brown sugar
8 slices aged white cheddar cheese
12 slices Granny Smith apples
8 slices brioche
8 T butter

Preparation

Lay the black pepper bacon on a sheet tray lined with parchment or wax paper. Cover the bacon with brown sugar. Cook in the oven at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Butter each bread slice on only one side. Place a bread slice butter-side-down into the hot skillet. Layer with 2 slices of aged white cheddar cheese, 3 slices of granny smith apples, and 2 slices of candied bacon. Top with a second bread slice, butter-side-up. Grill until lightly browned and then flip. Continue grilling until cheese is melted.