There aren't many pairings more traditional than grilled cheese and tomato soup. Having recently made some delectable tomato jam, I decided to combine the two components into one awesome foodstuff.
Oh, and if it saves on dish-washing, I'm all for it.
I simply took some rosemary focaccia bread (sadly, not homemade), added a thick layer of pepperjack (the end-all, be-all of cheeses in my book), and slathered on a hearty helping of that vibrant tomato jam. I melted some butter in my cast-iron skillet and grilled both sides until they were crispy-crunchy and nicely browned. It was awesome, an all-in-one delight--sweet, spicy, gooey, crusty, and chewy. Easy to clean up, too.
Any other suggestions for ways to use my tomato jam? Do tell!
And hey, watch out for black cats and broken mirrors today--it's Friday the 13th!
Love the combination of goodies on your sandwich, Grace! I'm thinking of putting this in my panini press to get it even more gooey and crunchy. (I made your tomato jam- I am hoarding it.)
ReplyDeleteYikes! Forgot it was Friday the 13th.
My grandmother made and canned a similar jam every year and my favorite way to eat it was on black eyed peas with a side of cornbread. Mmmm, mmmm...I could eat a whole plate of that! That sammic looks fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteOh man, this is a very yummy way to go, my mouth is watering.
ReplyDeleteGreat use for that jam!
ReplyDeleteOoh, fun! I love creative, different sandwiches and yours definitely qualifies.
ReplyDeleteman that sounds so good right now. I'm trying to write and I keep looking for excuses not to write, but damn how I love these kinds of sammies.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of tomato jam (at first I though you used ketchup! Thanks God you did not!!)
ReplyDeleteHave you tried working this with a tuna casserole or chicken ?
My kids love dunking their grilled cheese sandwiches in tomato soup, which drives my husband nuts. Brilliant solution to put the soup into the sandwich!
ReplyDeleteI love the twists on classic dishes. Well done! I'm in a similar predicament, though I'm trying to use up homemade ketchup. I recently used it with Korean fried chicken, which I bet would also be great with your tomato jam!
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of grilled cheese but maybe with the pairing of tomato jam and pepper jack, it might change my mind. Your photo is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm not crazy about anything tomato-y. Maybe if it was combined with some ricotta. For some odd reason I like ricotta with tomato based sauces. Mmmmm!
ReplyDelete~ingrid
I need to get me some of that tomato jam. What a color! The sammie looks great.
ReplyDeleteVery clever, Grace!! And I'm with you... the fewer dishes dirtied, the better.
ReplyDeleteThat must taste great! Nice combo!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
We LOVE grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup together! (I thought everyone did!) My husband actually can't have a grilled cheese without the soup. I am going to have to make some of your jam! This looks heavenly to me! I've added a couple of slices of tomato to a grilled cheese before, but this is takes it to a whole new level!
ReplyDeleteGrace for the third & final Friday the 13th for 2009, you have give us a great 'new classic'. I usually like to put tomatoes on my grill cheese, but I bet your tomato jam puts a 'gc' over the moon.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried your tomato jam heated and used as a dipping sauce for french fries? Hey, you never know!
Your jam look bsolutely georgeous, I have to make it!! xxgloria
ReplyDeleteOh my, that sounds so good. My mouth is seriously watering at the thought (and photo!).
ReplyDeleteMaybe next time caramelize some onions to throw into that sandwich? That would be my suggestion...mmmmmm.
Yum! The cheese sandwich sounds really good with tomato jam!
ReplyDeleteWow, I want to taste this! The rosemary focaccia sounds great for this sandwich. Actually, it sounds like a dressed-up grilled cheese that could be cut into little squares and served at a cocktail party.
ReplyDeleteI love tomato slices in my grilled cheese so I KNOW I would love this sandwich. Mmm good.
ReplyDeleteTomato Jam, genius! I'd pair mine with a nice wedge brie on a slice of baguette.
ReplyDeleteYUM that is my #1 favorite comfort food lunch, I wihs I had some of that tomato jam right now on a cracker with pepper jack!
ReplyDeleteI have got to make that tomato jam! This looks like the best grilled cheese. Ever.
ReplyDeleteYummie sandwich...and love the idea of not have to wash dishes :-)
ReplyDeleteTomato jam?? No ideas here as I have never had it! But it does sound delish!
ReplyDeletethat sounds really good. i'll have to make me a tomato jam soon...
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to make tomato jam and it was amazing! It was perfect on toast or homemade bisuits. Your classic looks fanastic, especially with the pepperjack!
ReplyDeleteCan I have some! This just makes me want to reach into my computer screen and take it! It's quick and easy- love this!
ReplyDeleteI've actually never had tomato jam, but now I want some!
ReplyDeletePepperjack cheese is my favorite too! But it's so gosh darn expensive here. Butter, pepperjack, and tomato jam... Absolutely FABULOUS sandwich.
ReplyDeleteBTW Grace: Lovely interview on Duck in Her Pond!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that tomato jam in so many things I'll have to get some tomatoes and start cooking! And since a grilled-cheese-anything is my favorite easy lunch, I'll definitely be making one of these very soon. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea.. the most adventurous I get with my grilled cheese is adding a slab of meat in the middle. ;) I love the color of your tomato jam!
ReplyDeleteThis looks quite yummy. What a clever idea - and yay for easy clean-up! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad that I didn't make tomato jam. I won't miss the opportunity next summer. Your sandwich is mouth watering.
ReplyDeleteMimi
What a brilliant combination. I'm getting out my gluten-free bread when I get home and have a ball! :)
ReplyDeleteI came over from the Pond. I have never heard of tomato jam before. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteYep! I can definitely feel my quivering lips all over your sandwich creation!I would be eating it in a dark corner before the whole clan wants a piece of it!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sandwich is a grilled cheese with tomato on some great bread.
ReplyDeleteSaw your interview with Duckie; your kittens are precious!
Yummm! I thought it was strawberry jam and mascarpone for a second but I think I might like the sounds of this even more! :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a mouthwatering sandwich. Love that melted cheese.
ReplyDeleteI love this combination, great take on the classic pairing of grilled cheese/tomato soup. Homemade tomato jam, how I want thee.
ReplyDeletewow...tomato jam? I've never heard of that but heck, why not? and what a great idea to use it with a yummy cheese sammy. shoot, you could use it with just about anything you'd use a tomato on, right? burgers, sliders, ham and cheese.
ReplyDeleteJust the sound of tomato jam is already a temptation that I cannot resist.
ReplyDeleteI have never thought of that combination its looks really warm and tasy.mm
ReplyDeleteOh pepperjack...I have a love hate relationship with it.
ReplyDeleteMmmmmmmm, melty cheese. Always good :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious! I bet the tomato jam would be excellent with goat cheese or brie cheese too.
ReplyDeleteMmm..mm..that tomato "ooze" looks so good. Hhmm, maybe you could use the tomato jam to serve with savoury muffins? Eg, bacon ones?
ReplyDeleteI would love this on a turkey panini with gouda cheese. Glad we all survived Friday the 13th!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting jam this would be...My father in law loves tomatoes so i bet he would love this jam...the sammie would be a big hit also.
ReplyDeletePlease stop over at Mimi's Kitchen I have something for you.
ReplyDeleteMimi
THAT is the ultimate sandwich. It's hard for me to think of something better than that. You could do some sort of fancy schmancy crostini.
ReplyDeleteYUUUUUUM! You could have it with a baked pepper and some nice crumbly, melty cheese?
ReplyDeleteTomato jam---yum! I'd definitely eat that sandwich...with a huge slab of bacon on top!
ReplyDeleteGreat creation here!
ReplyDeleteI swooned when I saw this. I mean I literally swooned! This is awesome! Regarding recipe suggestions, I strongly suspect that I would probably just eat the jam right out of the jar, spoonful after spoonful, without any inhibition. When it comes to tomatoes, I'm bad that way. Very, very bad. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreatest idea EVER.
ReplyDeleteCheese crackers with tomato jam-----yum!
ReplyDeleteTHis sounds so easy and excellent! Very creative!
Sounds like a great combination! How does the tomato jam differ from a premium ketchup? I've never tried it but it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteWow that really looks heartwarminly delicouious
ReplyDeleteThat IS the perfect use for tomato jam, and pepperjack cheese, can't beat that!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, awesome gourmet sandwich! A brilliant pairing!
ReplyDelete