Apple & Bacon Grilled Cheese

1. Cook the bacon (see all our bacon options here!). Set aside, saving the rendered fat from cooking the bacon. 
   1. SKIP the bacon cooking mess by using our Bacon-Onion Jam!
2. Melt 1 Tbsp butter (see all our butter options here) in a pan over medium heat, add apple slices. Stir to coat and cook for 5 minutes or until they are just starting to brown and soften. Add in the maple syrup and thyme. Lower the heat, stirring until coated and continue cooking until apple is soft, but not falling apart, and is caramelizing. Remove and wipe out pan or use a new pan for cooking the grilled cheese.
3. Heat pan over medium heat. Butter one side of each of the slices of bread (this will be the side you put down on the hot pan). On 4 of the non-buttered sides top with cheddar, 2 slices of bacon, caramelized apples and blue cheese (or swiss or more cheddar or whatever fits your fancy). Top with a second slice of bread (butter side-up).
4. Fry both sides of the sandwich until golden and the cheese is just starting to melt out. I prefer to cook the first side covered to help the heat get all the way in and really melt all the cheese.
5. Serve & enjoy!

Note: experiment with the cheese to your own personal tastes and the maple syrup - perhaps the whiskey barrel-aged syrup?!