Of all the jobs I’ve ever had in my life, I can definitely pinpoint the one I liked the most.
My high school job slingin’ joe at the local coffee shop. 
True, being a barista can, at times, feel semi thankless – what with the occasional rude customer and poor tips coupled with a meager wage – but it can also be super rewarding.
Surprising your regular customers by having their order already in the hopper by the time they get up to the counter. Smelling the irresistible, rich scent of coffee beans being fresh roasted every weekend. And, of course, all the free food and drink you could ever want/need/stuff in your face. 
Over the 2 and a half years I doled out drinks, I enjoyed dozens of creamy, White Chocolate Mochas, oodles of tart, Raspberry Italian Sodas and pounds of fresh, Cafe Salads.
And plate after plate of Triple Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
Oh yes. I am telling you – the triple cheese grilled cheese sandwich we used to serve at my coffee shop nearly made my head explode it was so over the top.
Fresh French baguette was split and brushed with olive oil before being sprinkled with salt & pepper. Next, thickly sliced provolone cheese was layered on top, followed by a generous shower of shredded cheddar cheese. A luscious schmear of cream cheese was added before the stuffed sandwich was squeezed shut and pressed to the high Heavens in a piping hot Panini press.
O.M.G. It was senSAYtional!
Fast forward oh…11…12? (sob!) years, and no way I’m going to even attempt to eat that much cheese! Oh, high school me.
What I am willing to do is take TWO cheeses, mix them with tongue-tingling roasted jalapeno peppers and a few other high flavor ingredients, and give that triple grilled cheese sandwich a real run for its money with my Roasted Jalapeno Grilled Cheese Sandwich!
Spicy, creamy, crunchy – this sandwich was off the chain!
I started my grown up grilled cheese by roasting the signature flavor in the sandwich – the jalapenos.
I always thought you needed a gas oven with a flame to roast peppers, but that’s simply not true. Placing them directly under the broiler, and rotating them when their skin started to blister and char, worked like a charm.
Afterwards I stuck ‘em in a tupperware container to steam and soften.
About 5 minutes later the skin easily peeled off the jalapeno, and I was able to lift the seeds right out. Hallelujah – it worked! Too bad I hate bell peppers ’cause this was actually a lot of fun and I sort of want to do it like, allthetime.
Oh also, don’t touch your eyeballs after you handle the jalapenos because I hear it really stings. A lot. And you might cry. But I wouldn’t know anything about that…
Next I chopped the roasted jalapenos and added them to the other star ingredients of my grilled cheese sandwich. The CHEESE.
Softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar, FTW.
Finally I began assembling my grilled cheese by buttering two soft slices of white bread from Great Harvest, then flipping one slice butter-side down.
On went a thick and spicy layer of the roasted jalapeno cheese followed by, wait for it…
BACON! MUWAHAHA!
A trip to a piping hot skillet rendered my bacon and jalapeno-laced grilled cheese golden brown and gloriously crunchy.
At this point that I started feeling semi guilty over the fact that I was about to feast on butter, bread, cheese and bacon for dinner, so I threw my grilled cheese a bone and added whisper-thin slices of vine-ripened tomato into the hot and gooey middle.
Perfect! The cheese had melted, the sandwich had been grilled, it was time to dive in.
Roasted Jalapeno Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 fresh jalapenos
1/4 cup reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 vine-ripened tomato, sliced
4 slices cooked bacon
4 slices white bread
butter
Directions:
1. Place an oven rack directly below the broiler and heat on high. Put the jalapenos on a baking sheet then place them directly under the broiler for 3-4 minutes a side, or until skin is charred all over. Immediately place the jalapenos in a tupperware container to steam until they are cool enough to handle.
2. When the jalapenos have cooled, remove the charred skin and discard the seeds, then dice the flesh.
3. Combine roasted jalapeno, softened cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese in a small bowl.
4. Butter one side of all 4 bread slices. Flip 2 slices so they lay butter-side down, then smear on half the cheese & jalapeno mixture on each slice. Layer on bacon, then place the other slice of bread on top, butter-side up.
5. Cook on a flat top skillet until bread is golden brown on both sides.
6. Open sandwich to add tomato slices, and enjoy!
This grilled cheese was epic. Spicy and smoky, but not so hot that you couldn’t taste the creamy cheese and salty bacon. YUMMM!!!
I’m going to milk this whole spicy sandwich thing and have a cup of cooling Blue Bunny All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert. I bought it for our cake last night, but forgot to get it out.
What a shame I couldn’t share.
Goodnight!
~~~~~
What was your favorite job of all time?
I love love your blog. You post so consistently, which most bloggers don’t seem to do!
I’m a fellow Des Moinesian as well. What coffee shop did you work at? I do the same thing where I work, have the espresso dripping before they hit the counter! I think people really appreciate it.
Sammich looks KILLER by the way!
Grounds for Celebration!
I was so mad when the Grounds for Celebration on Grand Avenue in DSM closed!!! Went there a lot.
It was really sad when they tore the building down and turned it into a parking lot for that damn guv-nah!
a mouth watering recipe as usual, kristin!
i cringe when i think about the foods i would eat in high school. so, so, so unhealthy. before swim practice everyday, my standard snack was a twix and mountain dew. how did i survive?!
Whoa junk food twins!! Same here in high school although I did not participate in sports…oh metabolism!!
Man I need one of these stat!
My first “real” job (not babysitting) was working at a local ice cream shop. Thank God for high school metabolisms because I ate SO. MUCH. ICE CREAM.
I was a part time florist at Hy-Vee on Grand in WDM until I moved to Okoboji in January. It was THE best part time job in the world. What girl doesn’t want to get paid to play with flowers and make people happyy!? When I moved to Okoboji, I did what I could to meet people and take advantage of the tourism here and became a bartender at a bar that closes, at the latest, at 11 p.m. This is THE best part time job in the world!
I’ve had way too many run-ins with jalapeno in the eye…I’ve learned to wear rubber gloves when handling them. Good luck getting out your contacts tonight (assuming you wear them)!!
Yum! I’m making this! I have some fresh jalapenos, this looks like a great fix, otherwise they are kind of potent raw. Wish I could find some good bread like yours!
This sandwich looks fantastic! And I don’t think one can ever go wrong adding bacon to something.
Most of my jobs have been really enjoyable. I worked for a couple summers in college in concessions at the Metrodome, so for Twins games, the occasional Vikings game or special event. Best part was coming into work and seeing all the players walk in!
Oh no! Your poor little eyes!
You are a sandwich genius. Seriously. That Food Network Star winner? He’s got nothing on you!
The best job I ever had was as a barista in my local coffee shop too! I always say if I leave my job and need some part time work, I would go back there in a second.
That looks so delicious!
Don’t laugh, but my favorite job was being a security guard at an art museum. I loved looking at the art every day, challenging myself by looking up a new artist every night, and just talking to and observing museum visitors in general.
Um, that sounds pretty awesome!
Wow- this looks amazing! My favorite job of all time was being a swim coach. The kids were so cute, and although it was a lot of work, it was so rewarding to see how much the kids improved over the course of a summer!
love this sandwich idea, genius!!!
my favorite job by far was as a summer camp counselor at an overnight camp out in the country about 30 min from my house, such a blast and i felt like such a grown up being on my own for the week at the mere age of 16 haha!
Great looking dinner!
I must say that my job as a SAHM for the last 11 years has been my absolute favorite. My second favorite was being a lifeguard at a public pool in my hometown. Fun in the sun and got to work with great friends.
My favorite job of all time was being a Reading Recovery teacher. It was a real honor and joy to sit with those first graders as they learned to become independent readers.
My least favorite job was detasseling corn when I was 14 and 15.
Ok… you always make the BEST looking panini sandwiches. I read your blog and each time I see a panini I think “I am so going to make one of these.” And then dinner times rolls around and I forget!!
My favorite job to date is what I do now – domestic adoptions/social work. Although while in high school I worked at Maggie Moos ice cream and it was super fun. I worked there with four other girlfriends and it was seriously like the high school hang out. Oh the memories.
You have the BEST sandwich recipes! I am drooling!
oooooh looks so yummy! my favorite job was a camp counselor. so fun.
My favorite job was a summer camp counselor. I got paid to play games ouside all summer. I miss working outside.
am right with you, sister! Being a Barista was THE BEST job I have ever had! I have thought about returning to that job countless times in the past 10…11…12 years also! I also like how you “forgot” to get out the Blue Bunny last night- that is classically something I would do…maybe on purpose?
Mmmm, grilled cheese sounds so good!! What coffee shop did you work at?
Grounds for Celebration! That was back when they had a location by Tasty Tacos/the movie theater over in Urbandale though!
Yum! I wonder how other peppers would work for this. I have some Hatch chiles in my fridge – they are so good! I had never seen them before I moved out of Iowa, but if you find some, grab them. They range in spiciness but they have such a good flavor. I like them better than jalapenos. Do I run to the store just for the cheese to make a grilled cheese at 9 p.m.?
LOVE my barista job. I actually do espresso/smoothie catering so we get to bring all the stuff out to different events, businesses, weddings (SO FUN) aaand we even sell drinks at the local Farmer’s Market in the state to your west.
Also this recipe is going in the “to-try” for the week…although I think I already have one of yours on my list…lol
You seem to have the most cheerful personality…your posts pretty much always make me smile. You have so much enthusiasm! You must make the most fun friend.
My sister just made a variation of this and told me how AMAZING it was and then I come here and read about it… now I MUST make this. I’m sure the boyfriend wouldn’t complain! I’ve never actually cooked with jalapenos… they intimate me haha. I need to get over my fear and do it… and remember not to touch my eyes!
You always have the best recipes. Keep up the good work
Delicious looking sandwich! I think grilled cheese is my favorite sandwich of all time.
My favorite job was when I was a tour guide during college. It was fun to show prospective students around campus and answer questions. I felt important. Haha.
Grilled cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods in my book. And adding bacon and jalapenos would only add to the deliciousness.
I would have to say that my favorite job ever was working at the GAP in HS – because I got a discount. muahahaha
Thank you for using white bread. I hate “healthy” grilled cheese on wheat. It’s just not the same!
My son and I stopped at Great Harvest for the first time in Sioux Falls about a week ago. He picked out the Farmhouse White and IT WAS AMAZING! Our new favorite bread for sure – the smell is heavenly! I wouldn’t have stopped there without your testimonials! They owe you some free bread coupons I think!
Glad you guys enjoyed! Ugh, their bread is the BEST!
My favorite job was being a writing tutor in college. I like working one on one with people. I would like to do it full time, but doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for now.
I really need to try Great Harvest Bread.
i worked at dairy queen in high school! best job ever… great coworkers, great food & of course, ICE CREAM!
we were supposed to pay for our food/ice cream (even if we were working) but we did get a discount. we could buy on “credit” by writing our purchases down in a note book then pay it off over time. HA!
i still know how to make the signature “curl” & still have my own blizzard recipes.
During college I worked at Elitch’s (back then it was Six Flags Elitch Gardens) in Denver, I was supposed to be the accounting/finance intern, but a week after I started the group sales ticket office manager quit…so me + one other intern (who happened to have grown up in the same small town as me and was a senior at the college I was attending, random!) got to run the office! We took sales calls, worked with the sales reps and printed/mailed tickets for all the large orders (from people coming with a birthday party to Lockheed Martin renting out the whole park for a day). It was so fun! We’d turn on music, the sales reps would buy us Oreo’s and Starbucks to entice us to process their orders first, and our boss was a blast. I worked in that office for 2 summers and still miss it!
omg kristin..you’re killin me with that sandwich!!!….I want a taste right now!!!..best job was workin in a scrapbooking store..loved all the customers and had so much fun opening boxes of new stuff to create with
The sandwich looks right up my alley! LOVE the spice of roasted jalapenos! I was lucky to have a bunch of fun jobs growing up including: adventure guide, camp counselor, assistant toy buyer at a local bookstore, event planner at a ski area & a historic farm, and an usher at a local music venue. I had way too much fun growing up! Oh to be young again….
WOW WOW WOW!! That looks AWESOME! Woop Woop
Ah perfect! I have an abundance of peppers from my garden!! My fav job would be teaching tennis! I taught for 8 years and still do lessons here and there when I can
Oh, that looks so good.
My favorite job was obituary editor. Funeral home directors are surprisingly hilarious and dealing with them on a daily basis was a joy. I miss them!
This sammich looks EPIC! Jalapeno cheesy goodness!
My favorite job was working at a movie rental place in high school – free rentals, take movies home to preview before the release date, etc. Great job!
UmK. You just took grilled cheese sandwiches (which are already amazing) to a whole new, delicious level. I can’t wait to try this!! YUM.
Hands down, my favorite job was an internship with Metropolitan Opera’s radio broadcast team when my husband was placed in NY for his job for 3 months. So so so much fun! And gave me an entirely new appreciation for opera getting to watch it with some of the Met’s opera experts.
Isn’t it funny how most of our fave jobs are when we were in high school or were part-time? Wouldn’t it be great if we could afford to just do what we love? I’m an accountant now, but my fave job was p-t in college working in the office of Aunt Maude’s restaurant in Ames. I, too, sampled a hefty amount of the menu options.
“Oh also, don’t touch your eyeballs after you handle the jalapenos because I hear it really stings. A lot. And you might cry. But I wouldn’t know anything about that…”
Man, I did this once too…. my whole face was on fire and my eyes burned for what seemed like eternity (although likely closer to 1/2 hour or so). Now I’m wayyyy more careful, lol!
Oh man, I miss grilled cheese! They have it here at school but it’s not nearly the same
My favorite job of all time was definitely working as a lifeguard last summer. As a lifeguard, we just sat in the chairs at the country club, drank lemonade, and swam on breaks– of course we were watching the pool, but there were never any problems! I also got a ton of reading in while working at the front desk, which was awesome
OMG that looks AMAZING!
OMG every single thing you make is amazing! When I get rich, I’m hiring you to be my personal chef.
Your story about the jalapenos reminded me of the time I suggested to my husband to use a kitchen towel to hold the jalapenos while taking the seeds out of them. Well he didn’t take my advise. About an hour later he had to use the restroom. I’m sure you can see where this is going. Needless to say I pointed & laughed.
I loved working at Carlos O’ Kelly’s… it was pretty fun! I could go for a grilled cheese right now…
Your sandwich looks awesome!! I’m gonna have to try that!
You always rave about the honey crisp apples this time of year. Have you tried the Sweet Tango ones (I think that’s the name or something close to that). The Hy-Vee’s in the Iowa City area have them and they are awesome!!! So sweet and yummy!!
I did last year, and remember it being very, very good!