Recipe by Asha Loupy courtesy of Wisconsin Cheese Academy (grilledcheeseacademy.com)
Makes 4 sandwiches
The Quick-pickled Jalapeños:
¼ c. white vinegar
1 T. granulated sugar
½ t. sea salt
2 jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced
In small skillet, heat vinegar, sugar and salt over medium heat. Stir mixture until sugar and salt are fully dissolved. Transfer pickling liquid to small bowl and add sliced jalapeños. Make sure the peppers are almost fully submerged. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.
The Tomato and Avocado Salsa:
2 tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, diced
½ small red onion, finely chopped
¼ c. fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Salt to taste
Mix tomatoes, avocado, red onion, cilantro and lime juice in a small bowl. Season with salt to taste. Set aside.
The Elote:
1 ½ c. corn kernels
3 oz. of Wisconsin cream cheese
½ c. Wisconsin chipotle jack cheese, freshly grated
½ c. Wisconsin cheddar cheese, freshly grated
½ t. ground cumin
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 t. fresh lime zest
Fill small saucepan with water and bring to boil. Add corn and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer cooked corn to a medium bowl. Add cream cheese, chipotle jack, aged cheddar, ground cumin, green onions and lime zest to cooked corn. Mix until combined and set aside.
The Sandwich:
8 slices French bread
4 slices (1 oz. each) Wisconsin cheddar cheese
6 T. unsalted butter, softened
To assemble each sandwich, spread one slice of bread with ¼ of the elote. Top with 3 to 5 slices of the quick-pickled jalapeño peppers, one slice of cheddar and finish with another slice of bread. Spread softened butter on top of bread. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Heat large skillet over medium heat. Transfer sandwiches to pan, placing them so they are butter-side down. Spread softened butter on top of sandwiches. Cook until sandwiches are golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes, flip sandwich and repeat.
Remove sandwiches from pan. Lift top of each sandwich and add a couple spoonfuls of the tomato and avocado salsa and replace the top. Gently press down and enjoy!