Jay D's Bites: Grilled Cheese with Barbecue Date Jam

by Chef Aimee Tortorich

Summer is coming to a close, which means hearty soups and stews will soon be simmering away in the kitchen. One of my favorite dishes is tomato soup with a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich. We wanted to try a variation of the traditional version, so we added a sweet and spicy barbecue date jam made with Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce and melted Brie on French country loaf from Indie Plate! For best results try it with this Smoked Creole Tomato Soup.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Brie and Barbecue Date Jam:

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Brie and Jay D's barbecue date jam.

serves 1

2 thick slices of French country bread
4 thin slices of Brie Cheese
1 Tbsp Jay D’s compound butter (recipe below)
1 Tbsp Jay D’s BBQ Date Jam (recipe below)

Pre-heat grill or sauté pan to medium heat. Add compound butter and melt until golden brown. Spread jam evenly over each slice of bread and add brie. Place sandwich in sauté pan until golden brown, then flip and continue on other side until cheese is melted through.

 

Jay D's Compound Butter:

1 cup softened unsalted butter
1 Tbsp Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub

In a small mixing bowl, mix softened butter and Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub until incorporated. Remove butter from bowl and spoon onto parchment paper or plastic wrap. Roll into log and chill for 2 hours before serving.

 

Jay D's Barbecue Date Jam:

yields enough for 4 sandwiches

5 oz. pitted dried dates, roughly chopped
¾ cup Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce


In a small saucepan, add dates and Jay D’s Barbecue Sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Purée in a blender until soft. Use as a spread for sandwiches! Can also use figs in place of dates.