With school back in session, your evenings are likely booked solid with sport practices, music lessons, homework, and so on. Hectic family schedules can leave limited time for cooking elaborate recipes. Grilled cheese sandwiches are a great “go to” meal. You can add practically anything to this classic sandwich to create a simple, yet delicious family dinner. Pairing bacon, eggs, and cheese may seem a bit indulgent, but your picky-eaters will surely be satisfied!

Ingredients: makes 2 servings

• 4 slices of bacon
• 1 onion
• 1 apple, a tart red (Fuji apple) or tart green (Granny Smith)
• 2 tsps brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper
• 4 slices of white sandwich bread, such as Udi’s Gluten Free White Bread
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese, such as Horizon Organic White Cheddar Cheese
• butter, softened

If desired, substitute bread and cheese recommendations for preferred varieties.

Directions:

1. Cook bacon: Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover a baking sheet with foil and place a cooling rack on top of baking sheet. Lay bacon flat on cooling rack and place baking sheet in oven. Cook 20 mins. until bacon is crisp. Alternate method: Place bacon slices on a microwaveable plate, cover with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 4 mins. until crisp.
2. Peel and thinly slice onion.
3. Slice apple in half; remove core. Thinly slice apple.
4. In a sauté pan, melt ½ tsp butter over medium heat. Add sliced onions, apples, and brown sugar; sauté 10 mins. until caramelized.
5. Lightly spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice.
6. Melt 1 tsp of butter (or cooking spray) in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Crack eggs into pan; sprinkle pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until whites are no longer translucent, about 3 mins. With a spatula, flip eggs; turn off heat and remove pan from burner. Allow eggs to rest 30 sec.; remove. This recipe is meant to allow a golden, runny yolk; cook further if preferred.
7. Heat skillet or griddle to medium heat. Build sandwiches: Place a slice of cheese atop non-buttered side of bread. Next, layer on egg, 2 strips of bacon, spoonful of caramelized onions/apples, another slice of cheese, remaining slice of bread buttered side up. Repeat.
8. Place sandwiches on griddle for 2 mins. per each side, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.