I recently experimented with a twist on classic grilled cheese by layering ArtesanoBread with thick cut bacon, provolone, and mild bleu cheese, topped with a rich fig spread made with fresh figs, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. The resulting Grilled Cheese With Bacon Jam is intriguingly decadent.
I recently cooked up something pretty unusual that I know you’ll wanna try ASAP. It’s the Fig And Bacon Grilled Cheese, aka The Figgy Piggy.
Imagine thick cut bacon sizzling with perfectly grilled ArtesanoBread, layered with provolone and a burst of mild bleu cheese crumbled right on top. I made a homemade fig spread using fresh figs, sugar, a bit of lemon juice, water and a pinch of salt which really ties the flavors together.
When I first got the idea, I thought of the intriguing mix of smoky bacon and sweet fig, reminiscent of those times I’ve seen recipes like Bacon Fig Grilled Cheese or Grilled Cheese With Bacon Jam. I then flipped through my notes on cooking with figs and bacon, and I knew it was a keeper.
This sandwich is bold and full of surprises so expect a nice blend of sweet, salty and tangy elements in every bite. Enjoy experimenting with it and feel free to add your twist.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because the homemade fig spread gives a really unique sweet kick that totally balances out the salty bacon and tangy cheeses.
I also dig how the thick cut bacon turns out perfectly crispy without being too greasy which makes every bite super fun to eat.
Another thing that makes me a fan is the way the ArtesanoBread crisps up when it’s grilled – it’s simple yet feels so gourmet and comforting at the same time.
Plus, I like that the combination of provolone and mild bleu cheese creates a cheesy, melty experience that makes this sandwich more than your average grilled cheese.
Ingredients
- ArtesanoBread provides essential carbohydrates and fiber, giving the base a hearty, satisfying crunch.
- Thick cut bacon brings savory protein and fats for a crispy, indulgent taste that feels just right.
- Provolone cheese adds creamy texture along with calcium and protein benefits, its flavor is mild but bold.
- Mild bleu cheese gives a tangy kick and a dose of healthy fats that liven up every bite.
- Homemade fig spread offers natural sweetness, fiber and vitamins, which balances the savory components.
- Butter is used for grilling, adding richness and helping all the flavors blend together.
- Salt and pepper season the sandwich, balancing all the bold flavors perfectly.
- Each ingredient work together to create a flavor explosion that is unique and satisfying.
Ingredient Quantities
- 8 slices ArtesanoBread
- 4 thick cut bacon slices
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 3 to 4 ounces mild bleu cheese, crumbled
- Homemade fig spread (see below):
- 1 lb fresh figs, stems removed and chopped
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- A pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp butter, for grilling
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make this
1. First, make the fig spread. In a small pot, combine the chopped fresh figs, sugar, lemon juice, water, and a pinch of salt. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat and stir it often until the figs break down and the mixture thickens a bit (about 10 to 15 minutes). Once done, let it cool.
2. While thats cooling, cook the thick cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Once cooked, drain the bacon on a paper towel.
3. Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
4. Butter one side of each of the 8 slices of ArtesanoBread. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwich.
5. Lay out 4 slices of bread with the unbuttered side up. On each slice, spread a generous amount of the fig spread.
6. On top of the fig spread, layer a slice of provolone cheese, then sprinkle about 3 to 4 ounces of crumbled mild bleu cheese evenly over each, and finally add a couple of pieces of crispy bacon.
7. Sandwich each of these with another slice of bread, making sure the buttered side is facing out.
8. Place the sandwiches in the preheated skillet. Cook them for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the bread becomes golden brown and the cheeses start to melt.
9. Flip the sandwiches carefully so that both sides get nicely grilled.
10. Once done, transfer the sandwiches to a plate, season them with a little salt and pepper to taste, let them cool for a minute or two, and then serve warm. Enjoy your Fig And Bacon Grilled Cheese!
Equipment Needed
1. A small pot for simmering the fig spread
2. A wooden spoon for stirring the figs, sugar, and lemon juice
3. Measuring cups and spoons for the ingredients
4. A skillet for crisping the bacon
5. Paper towels to drain the cooked bacon
6. A large skillet or griddle for grilling the assembled sandwiches
7. A knife or butter spreader for buttering the bread slices
8. A spatula for flipping the sandwiches in the skillet
9. A plate to serve the hot, melty sandwiches
FAQ
Fig And Bacon Grilled Cheese Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of ArtesanoBread, you can experiment with a hearty sourdough or ciabatta bread.
- If you’re not into thick cut bacon, you might try turkey bacon or even a plant based bacon alternative.
- You can swap provolone cheese for mozzarella if you prefer a milder, softer flavor.
- If you dont care for mild bleu cheese, a creamy goat cheese is a good, tasty substitute.
- For the fig spread, if you cant get fresh figs, dried figs rehydrated in a bit of water with extra sugar works just fine.
Pro Tips
1. When making the fig spread, make sure to stir it constant so the figs dont stick or burn, cause that can totally mess up the flavor later.
2. Let the fig spread cool down pretty good before you build the sandwiches because if its too hot the cheese might melt too much and make the bread soggy.
3. Cook the bacon until its real crispy not just partly done, this gives it that extra crunch that contrasts perfectly with the melted cheeses.
4. Butter your bread just enough to get that golden grilled look but dont overdo it cuz too much butter can make the sandwich greasy and heavy.
Fig And Bacon Grilled Cheese Recipe
My favorite Fig And Bacon Grilled Cheese Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. A small pot for simmering the fig spread
2. A wooden spoon for stirring the figs, sugar, and lemon juice
3. Measuring cups and spoons for the ingredients
4. A skillet for crisping the bacon
5. Paper towels to drain the cooked bacon
6. A large skillet or griddle for grilling the assembled sandwiches
7. A knife or butter spreader for buttering the bread slices
8. A spatula for flipping the sandwiches in the skillet
9. A plate to serve the hot, melty sandwiches
Ingredients:
- 8 slices ArtesanoBread
- 4 thick cut bacon slices
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 3 to 4 ounces mild bleu cheese, crumbled
- Homemade fig spread (see below):
- 1 lb fresh figs, stems removed and chopped
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- A pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp butter, for grilling
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. First, make the fig spread. In a small pot, combine the chopped fresh figs, sugar, lemon juice, water, and a pinch of salt. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat and stir it often until the figs break down and the mixture thickens a bit (about 10 to 15 minutes). Once done, let it cool.
2. While thats cooling, cook the thick cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Once cooked, drain the bacon on a paper towel.
3. Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
4. Butter one side of each of the 8 slices of ArtesanoBread. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwich.
5. Lay out 4 slices of bread with the unbuttered side up. On each slice, spread a generous amount of the fig spread.
6. On top of the fig spread, layer a slice of provolone cheese, then sprinkle about 3 to 4 ounces of crumbled mild bleu cheese evenly over each, and finally add a couple of pieces of crispy bacon.
7. Sandwich each of these with another slice of bread, making sure the buttered side is facing out.
8. Place the sandwiches in the preheated skillet. Cook them for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the bread becomes golden brown and the cheeses start to melt.
9. Flip the sandwiches carefully so that both sides get nicely grilled.
10. Once done, transfer the sandwiches to a plate, season them with a little salt and pepper to taste, let them cool for a minute or two, and then serve warm. Enjoy your Fig And Bacon Grilled Cheese!
