This is pure indulgence in grilled cheese + pb&j form.
Aka my favorite kind of indulgence. The Recipe Redux challenged us this month to share a recipe that represents a food memory we are thankful for. This theme displays my passion for food in so many ways.
Much of my childhood and adolescence was centered around various themes of food. Most of my memories entail big Mexican family gatherings that always included loads of carne asada, fresh guacamole, homemade salsa, chorizo y papas and tiny tortillas. All that along with platters of the juiciest fruits, sweet pan dulce (sweet mexican bread) and whatever pie my Uncle picked up from Marie Calendars.
These meals brought my family together throughout the years and though there was always quite a but of family drama (who doesn’t deal with this?) the food was delicious and I will forever have memories of my mom, grandma and aunt in the kitchen hollering to each other in spanish as they beat around pots and pans.
Through my teenage years my palate was opened up to a plethora of food culture as I traveled through Europe two different times. These adventures are what sparked my passion for fresh meals that are good for the body and the soul. Think fresh lamb Bolognese linguine and the crispiest pizza crust of your dreams.
Come adulthood and here I am studying to be a Registered Dietician, creating recipes on a daily basis and dissecting cook books like it’s my job.
My favorite food memory that sticks out to me the most doesn’t involve my loud Mexican family or a fresh Italian pizza from Rome. My favorite memory actually involves kindergarten.
My childhood sticks out to me in blurred fragments. One of them being lunchtime at kindergarten. Everytime my dad packed my lunch it always involved two things: a peanut butter & jelly sandwich (easy on the jelly) and a napkin with a note written on it. I can’t remember exactly what each note said but it was the comfort of seeing my dads words on a napkin, along with my favorite sandwich in the entire world that made those moments worth remembering.
Food was simple back then. While I don’t always have a classic pb&j at lunch anymore or receive napkin notes from my dad (as a girl in my 20s, that would be odd) the idea of a pb&j brings a sense of childhood nostalgia over me that I want to hold onto for as long as I can. We’re getting a little deep here on TNK but my emotional side is really booming today.
In an effort to relive my kindergarten days, I made a grown up version of pb&j sandwiches that include dark chocolate, pomegranates, mascarpone cheese and almond butter. All slathered onto a fresh whole wheat baguette and grilled on the skillet. Hellooo yum-o-clock time! (my dad is also to blame for all my borderline lame corny jokes)
Grown up life will never be as simple as childhood but I think it should be just as delicious and it’s meals like these that warm my heart with the best possible memories.
P.S. If you have kids, I recommend packing a napkin note in their lunchbox. They’ll appreciate it for years to come, even if you don’t realize it 
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter, Pomegranate & Mascarpone Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick whole grain bread
- 2 oz dark chocolate
- 1 Tbsp crunchy almond butter
- 1 Tbsp mascarpone cheese
- Handful of pomegranates
- Olive oil for greasing pan
Instructions
- Layer one slice of your bread with mascarpone cheese, dark chocolate then your almond butter. Place onto a skillet greased with olive oil along with your other piece of bread. Cook on medium-high for a few minutes, top almond butter with some pomegranates then top with other slice of bread. Press down with spatula and continue to cook for a few more minutes until cheese and chocolate have melted and bread is crisp.
- Serve immediatley!
Notes
Makes 1 Grilled Cheese