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You know those times when I can get a little carried away?
Well this is one of those times.
And I am so excited about it.
Actually, I am excited about a lot of things. Well, more just feeling grateful for a lot of things. Sometimes I find myself randomly drifting off and thinking about life. I always come away feeling amazed and grateful for everything I have, and just genuinely appreciative for my life, my family and the fact that all nine of us are healthy and together…well minus Creighton since he lives in Cleveland, but we miss him like crazy and hope he can find a job out here soon!
I guess that I am going on about this now because I got a super mean comment the other day about how I am an ungrateful brat and that I should stop pretending to have a job and actually get a real one. And yes, those where his words.
Two years ago, this comment would have knocked me down for days, but now I just think about how happy I am that I do not have to put others down just to make myself feel better, which my guess is exactly what “Jimmy Bob” was doing.
FYI, it’s kind of not cool, and you really should not pass judgment on people until you know all the facts… and then some.
Anyway, this mean comment just got me thinking about all the stuff I actually am so grateful for. Things like having a job that I LOVE, which YES is a real job because I spend almost every waking minute of my days working hard at. This beautiful new home/studio/barn of mine that is pretty much the space of my dreams. Sure things have been a little stressful, BUT I am so excited to have some space to actually work and concentrate AND it will be even better once all these workers are outta here (can’t wait). MY PARENTS who help me SO flipping much. People who say they do it all alone are just not being honest if you ask me. Help is something I have a really hard time excepting, but without help I would not be able to do all the things I am doing today. My mom’s the genius behind all the techie stuff for the blog and my dad’s the ULTIMATE kitchen cleaner. And yes, I do 100% realize how awesome it is that my parents actually want to help me out so much. THANK YOU. I am also so grateful for my family’s health. Thankfully none of us have any serious health issues, which is honestly one of my biggest fears. Feeling incredible thankful that at the moment all six of my brothers, little miss Asher and mom + dad are healthy as horses. <–this makes me smile big!
I could go on and on (like hey I am so happy to live in the mountains where I can play in the snow and hike in my back yard every single day!), but even just writing this all out made me feel so happy.
Honestly, if you are feeling down or even feeling a little bad for yourself (it happens to all of us), you should write out all of the things you ARE actually thankful for. Look at the positives. It feels SOO GOOD.
Oh my gosh, you guys?? Do you think I should quit cooking and become a therapist?!?! I mean wow, I feel like that was some really good advice up there. I didn’t know that could all come out me. Whoa!
But ummm…..BIG NO on the therapist thing. That would just never be for me. I am the one who probably needs to go see a therapist. I mean, sometimes I spend an hour (or more!) plating food. That’s kind of weird.
And what else. Yeah right, this big popper hot buffalo chicken and bacon grilled cheese!
Like I said, I am so excited about it. It’s a jalapeno popper and buffalo chicken marriage… and it’s beyond awesome! It’s also perfect for that big Super Bowl Game coming up. And speaking of the Super Bowl? I hope you’re ready for some good game day eats. I sort of went a little crazy this year, all next week there is going to be some serious football food. So all you guy readers out there, I really hope you decide to check in next week, because it’s going to be “guys week” for sure.
But these sammies. They are loaded with an herb cream cheese mix, fire roasted jalapenos (which means broiled), spicy homemade buffalo chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese and blue cheese. You see, I got a little carried away and since it’s Thursday, which means it’s practically Friday, this grilled cheese is totally acceptable. Sorry to all the dieters out there, this is not really healthy January food (this is a good alternative though for you!).
My brothers made me, so blame them (way to accept responsibility, huh!).
Or thank them?
Big Popper Hot Buffalo Chicken and Bacon Grilled Cheese.
Servings: 4 GRILLED CHEESES + EXTRA BUFFALO CHICKEN
Calories Per Serving: 1028 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast tenders
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup self rising flour
- canola oil for frying
- 1 cup buffalo sauce * my favorite recipe is in the notes
The Grilled Cheese
- 6 jalapenos
- 4-6 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 green onions finely chopped
- 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated*
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese sliced
- 6 slices cooked bacon
- 4 ounces blue cheese crumbled
- 4 slices thick cut bread I used whole grain sourdough
- butter for bread
- ranch and french fries for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil to 350 degrees F. in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot. Do not fill the pot more than 1/2 full with oil.
- Season the chicken with a little seasoned salt. Add the self rising flour to a shallow bowl or pie plate. In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs together.
- Dip the seasoned chicken in the egg mixture, and then coat well in the flour. Place the chicken in the preheated oil and fry the chicken in the oil until brown and crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined cookie sheet. Then dip the chicken through the buffalo sauce
- Once cool enough to handle, slice the chicken into strips.
- To make the sandwiches, preheat the broiler to high. Place the jalapeños on a baking sheet (line with foil if desired) and broil the jalapeños until charred all over. Once charred, remove from the oven, allow to cool and then peel away a little of the charred skin (I like to leave some of the charred pieces on mine, I think it adds flavor). Seed the jalapeños if desired (or seed some and leave the rest with seeds). Chop the jalapeños. In a bowl, combine the chopped jalapeños, softened cream cheese, green onions, cilantro and garlic until smooth and creamy.
- Butter the outside of each piece of bread. Spread the insides of each piece of bread with the cream cheese mixture. Top half the slices of bread with a slice or two of cheddar cheese. Top with sliced buffalo chicken + a drizzle of buffalo sauce, bacon and another slice of cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with blue cheese and then sandwich with the top half piece of bread. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a pat of butter and 1-2 sandwiches, cook for 3-5 minutes per side or until the cheese is melted and bread is crispy. Serve right away with ranch for dipping and fries for snacking!!
Notes
*To quickly make you own buffalo sauce, mix 1/2 cup Franks Hot Sauce, 1/4-1/2 cup melted, salted butter and 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt. *If you have time, or already have some roasted, I think that roasted garlic would be pretty amazing in this!
Ahh yeah, thank them for sure!
Bravo to you Tieghan for taking a negative comment and turning it into something positive for yourself! You have my dream job – seriously! I’ve been trying for over a year to start a blog -with encouragement from my daughters and husband – but just can’t seem to take the leap. So congrats to you for doing what you love – and it shows through this blog! Also – this sandwich ??? totally awesome!
do totally have a dream job! 🙂
Thanks so much, Kathy!! Your encouraging words are making my night!
Really though, START THAT BLOG already! You will rock at it! 🙂
I feel the complete opposite of Mr. Troll. I’m incredibly impressed by & jealous of your mad food blogging skills on a regular basis. You’re a food blogging rockstar. You develop amazing recipes, perfectly plated so that they’re incredibly eye-catching, then take & edit beauuutiful pictures that make even the fullest person hungry. Anyone who’s never food-blogged has no idea how difficult, nuanced and time-consuming it is to do it well. I’m thankful that I have positive & talented food bloggers like you to admire. And also that I have your food to admire. Yum.
Whoa! Thank you so much! Seriously these are such kind words, THANKS!
Hope you are having a great week!!
It should be clear to anyone reading your blog how passionate you are about food and cooking and that’s inspirational. For someone to try and knock down your passion just shows how unhappy they are in their life. Girl, you keep doing you because you have loyal followers and your recipes are AMAZING!
THANK YOU!! Making me smile! 🙂
Happy almost Friday!
I want this sandwich to magically appear in front of me right now! It looks and sounds absolutely delicious! I will have to make one this weekend for sure. So glad you didn’t let that bozo’s comment get you down. Unfortunately, some people feel the need to judge others. It’s pretty obvious from reading your blog that you do work hard. Keep on doing what you do, it’s fabulous!
Thank you so much for these encouraging words, they mean so much!! 🙂
Hope you are having a great week!
Shaking my head at the guy’s comment. But so happy that you decided to not let it get you down! It’s so easy to assume things about one another and I love your comment about not passing judgement. But it is clear to me that you are an incredibly hard working individual! So grateful for your blog and all it’s wonderful inspiration!
Wow, thanks so much for all these kinds words!! SO excited to hear I inspire you! THANKS!
Please don’t quit food blogging to become a therapist; we need you and your delicious creations! And, if you think about it, food is kinda like therapy, so you’re a therapist in disguise; haha 🙂
Haha! No worries, I do not see that happening!
When it comes to food, you can never get too carried away! That guy sounds like a jerk!
Thanks Laura!!
I love when you tweak a common dish and totally take it to the next level! This sandwich looks so amazing. Also, looking forward to your football food next week. My husband and I live in Italy so the Superbowl will be on late here, but I will definitely be making some of your recipes to celebrate early.
Oh and whoever mentioned you getting a real job clearly has no clue how much time and effort is involved in this blog! You are so talented and hardworking, keep focusing on the positive vibes.
Thank you so much, Jamie! Have fun celebrating the game all the way over in Italy! 🙂
All of your recipes look INSANELY delicious! This one is no different. You are so talented and thank you for sharing all of your stories and recipes. They are off the chart in my opinion. I look forward every day to see what you will do next! Keep up the great work!!!
THANK YOU! Hope you are having a great week!
This sandwich is insane….I can’t wait to make it. I also can’t wait for the football food because the Superbowl is an official holiday in our house and I always take the day off after it to recoup!!!! A long time ago I realized that mean people say hurtful things because they don’t feel good about themselves it has nothing to do with us and in fact we should feel sorry for them because they aren’t as happy…No to the therapist keep doing what you’re doing because you ROCK at it.
Thank you so very much, Lisa!!!
That sandwich looks sooooo inviting! And aside from this awesome recipe, that’s some great advice you got there. You sure you’re not up for being a therapist? Is that an adamant ‘no’? 🙂
HA! I am pretty sure! 🙂
Thanks!
Oh. My. God. Please invite me over! I will clean your stove, no your entire kitchen, no your entire house, and do the laundry and scrub the floors if you would cook this for me. . . . . nom, nom!
Haha! Thanks!
You go girl–the best way to handle negative things in life is to go out and have a great life–your already working on that and your gracious enough to bring us along.
Those pictures here show how hard you work.
Oh I would love a bite of that sandwich right now but I’ll have to eat my oatmeal.
Thank you so much, Nancy! Your constant kind comments keep going! 🙂
Dear Tieghan , you must not break down , NEVER ! You’re young and you’ve probably already found your way . I’m 26 years old and LIVE DREAMS , always . I know that life is hard , I live on my skin , but no one can afford to disrupt my life ! Well , after these pills of wisdom , I would tell you how good you are , these days I have tried several recipes and all your WOW , Fantastic ! BRAVISSIMA!
Ciao!
WOW! Thank you for these kinds words, they mean so much!!
Almost everyday when I look at your blog I say to myself that you must be the hardest working person on the internet. You amaze and inspire me with your passion and dedication to what you do. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful, hard work with us. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! (PS—these look sooooo good!)
Totally agree ~ you have a job in your own right that is amazing and satisfying and you obviously enjoy because look at the awesome photography! How does food look so darn good? I’m sure you’re family is swelling with pride ~ I know I worry about my own kids and in a crazy way this blog reminds me that my kids just need to find the right niche for them as you have done, I shouldn’t worry or even necessarily push or want them to go to college if they find the right vocation without it! It’s exciting to see new job opportunities open like food blogging as a job, gives you hope for your kids future.
And yes, I’m so glad you use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, as a Buffalo gal, it makes me swell with pride!!
Thank you!! finding your right niche is such a good feeling, don’t worry your kids will find it. I was extremely lucky to fall into this and realize I loved it so young. All your kind words have me smiling from ear to ear, THANK YOU! Hope you are having a great week and happy almost friday!!
Oh and nothing is better than Franks, I never stray!
Thank you so much, Hilary! 🙂 Your kind words mean so much!