Remember how much you loved grilled cheese sandwiches as a kid?
I loved mine with a hearty bowl of tomato soup.
Of course, my version of grilled cheese wasn’t just any old white bread and American cheese sammy, mine was the REAL DEAL.
Yes, thick, hearty grain bread covered in just barely melted, sharp manchego cheese, fresh salted tomatoes, and a super thick and perfectly spiced bowl of veggie tomato soup.
Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering.
There’s just something about grilled cheese…

Even now, as adults, I’m sure we all still crave this soul warming soup and sammy on a cold winter’s day.
But what about a grown-up version?
Something slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and even slightly tangy?

It takes it up a notch, for sure.

Just wait..

Succulent and sweet blackberries mellow the sting of a little serrano pepper, married to the tartness imparted by fresh chèvre…and then imagine these three in a ménage à trois of freshly baked and sliced sourdough bread – just crunchy enough on the skillet to drive chills up and down your spine.

Yes, it’s possible.

Just watch.

And then try…

Blackberry Serrano Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2 Tbs. salted Kerrygold butter, softened
3 slices fresh sourdough bread
4 oz. fresh chèvre, room temperature
2 oz. fresh blackberries
1 small serrano pepper, minced (seeded if you prefer less heat)
dash of sea salt

Preheat a cast iron skillet on low heat. Slather one side of two pieces of sourdough with butter.
Gently fold together the cheese, pepper, sea salt, and blackberries until somewhat soft and combined. (Make sure to add the berries last as not to crush the beauties).
Layer one piece of bread in the skillet, buttered side down. Spread half the cheese mixture over the slice, top with another slice, and then finish with the last of the berry-serrano-cheese mixture. Place the last slice of bread on top, buttered side up. Squish the sammy down with a spatula and grill until the buttered bottom down side is crispy. Flip and continue to cook until the next buttered bottom side is perfectly crispy as well.
Remove from heat and slice while still warm and creamy ~ oh, and quite dreamy.