Lazy and Starving

Readers picture this, you've come home from a long week at work, you're hungry, you're tired and don't want to put forth much effort to do anything other than opening up a beer or the bottle of Jack Daniels (what? No this isn't about me, I'm just speaking in general...). You consider ordering a pizza but you just had pizza on Sunday and your alternative delivery options are slim; you don't want to go drive somewhere because you already changed into your comfy pajamas and don't want to risk being seen. So what do you do?

Nothing will make you quite as creative as being lazy and starving. You open up the pantry looking for something quick and easy and the only suitable options are soup (eh), pretzel sticks (but there's nothing to dip them in) and cereal (no thanks) so you look around for plan b. You find bread and cheese! Score! 

Who doesn't like a good olde grilled cheese? They're quick, relatively little effort, and if you make them correctly, can be both filling and delicious. 

Lazy and Starving Grilled Cheese

Canola spray 

2 slices bread (I used Great Harvest Bakery sourdough) 

1/2 an avocado, pitted and mashed 

2 Tbs salsa (El Pinto hot) 

1/4 tbs salt

1/4 tbs garlic salt 

1 Tbs yellow mustard 

2 (or more) slices cheese (Kroger Thin sliced Swiss and Kroger Sliced Pepperjack) 

1 slice deli sliced turkey breast (Boar's Head Mesquite)

1 Tbs Giardiniera or jalapeños, drained (optional) 

1/2 tomato, thinly sliced  

So grilled cheese should be a standard in any cook's wheelhouse, I think it's the first thing I ever learned to cook myself, (ask Nate, the first year of our relationship he ate copious amounts of grilled cheese ). 

Spray skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium. 

While skillet is heating up, take the halved and pitted avocado and scoop contents into a separate bowl, mix in salsa, salt and garlic powder. Spread mixture on one slice of bread. Spread mustard on other slice. 

Place one slice of bread (I used the avocado one) in the skillet to begin grilling. 

Place one slice of cheese on avocado side and then layer slice of turkey and final slice of cheese on top of that. Now you can add on your hot peppers or tomatoes (if you wish). 

Top with final slice of bread. 

I like to weigh my grilled cheeses down with a small sauce pan lid (this creates a steaming effect which ensures more even and quicker melting). Let cook for 5-7 minutes before flipping and then repeat the cooking process. 

Seems pretty basic and standard right? Well perhaps, but I can honestly say that the 10 or so minutes I put into making this meal was definitely worth it. I am full, relaxed, and maybe slipping into a food coma in front of the tv with my cats. 

Good food doesn't always have to be complicated or time consuming, sometimes some nostalgic food with a face lift is all you need to make a hard and long week melt away.