Zia Hatch Green Chile Apple Grilled Cheese

Apple picking is fun, but apple eating is even better (especially when combined with Hatch Chile). This is the perfect sweet and savory recipe to have in your pocket this Fall and put all those apples to use. 

Ingredients:

Makes about 4 Grilled Cheeses

- 1/2 jar Zia Hatch Green Chile, strained

- 1 large Granny Smith Apple, cored and thinly sliced

- 1/2 Shallot, finely chopped

- 1 loaf Country Sourdough (or bread of choice), cut into 8 slices

- 6 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese

- Handful of Rosemary, chopped (about 1tsp worth after chopping)

- Salted Butter (at least 4-5 tbsp, but you will use as needed)

- Apple Butter (at least 1-2 tbsp, but you will use as needed to spread on bread slices)

- Salt

Directions:

 1. Prepare strained Zia Hatch Chile, apple, shallot and rosemary. In a cast iron or other large skillet, heat a large spoonful of butter (1-2tbsp) over medium heat. Once skilled is hot, add apple, shallot, rosemary, and a large pinch of salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, mixing regularly. After 5 minutes, add in Zia Hatch Chile and continue cooking and mixing for another 4-5 minutes, until apples are soft and golden. Remove from heat and set aside. 

2. Cut 8 slices of bread, and spread one side of 4 slices evenly with apple butter. With apple butter facing upward, evenly lay over 1 1/2 slices worth of sharp cheddar cheese over the apple butter. On the empty bread slices, evenly spoon the apple and Zia Hatch Chile mixture over one side. At this point you should have 4 sandwiches worth with apple butter and cheese on one slice and apple / Zia Hatch Chile mixture on the other. 

3. (If you have another skillet, repeat this step for each skillet at the same time in order to cook all grilled cheese sandwiches faster). Clean skillet and heat up another 1-2 tbsp of butter on medium heat. Once butter is melted, reduce heat to medium low and place each slice of the sandwich onto the skillet with the toppings facing upward. Cover skillet and cook until each slice is golden brown and cheese is melted, adding more butter as needed. If you notice the bread cooking too fast, reduce heat to low. 

4. Once each slice is cooked and cheese is melted properly, put the slices together and press down lightly with a spatula or large knife in order to form a grilled cheese sandwich. Serve warm, and enjoy! 

Want more delicious Hatch Chile Recipes? View more here!