I’m on high-alert. I’m totally overdue.
I have the distinct feeling that something awkward is about to happen to me. A few months ago I ran into an ex-boyfriend at the grocery store. It was very early in the morning and… picture a hot mess… that was my hair. His new girlfriend… picture flawless… that was her. Ok. No big deal. It happens… and directly after it happens I’m relieved that I have at least another month before I have to suffer another such awkward moment. It’s karmic… I get it.
It’s been a few months since my last painful karmic event and I can feel it coming. It’s like a sixth sense. I can feel the awkward approach. I have a feeling I’m going to run into an ex-ladyfriend. You know, sometimes you’re friends with girls and then sometimes you stop being friends with her because you realize she has been talking some major trash about you for like… ever. And then sometimes your worlds collide. And you wish they wouldn’t. And you hope, at least, you’ve combed your hair.
It’s about to happen to me. I can feel it.
Oh. Wait. Are you under the impression that I get along with everyone ever? hahahaa. No. I have a very short list of people I would like to cage fight. Totally normal.
While we’re on the topic of painfully awkward moments that I have no control over, can I come clean about a nervous habit? I nervous eat pickles straight from the jar while standing in front of the open refrigerator. Bread and Butter pickles are my vice.
And so this sandwich was born.
ps. Did I just mention cage fighting? I’m sorry (kinda).
Let’s talk about this.
Maybe you’re not the kind of person that nervous eats pickles in anticipation of an awkward onslaught.
Maybe you’re the kind of person who needs to be convinced of the merits of a pickle and cheese marriage.
Is this helping?
I feel like this surely must be helping.
Brie cheese melts into the most creamy and delicious cheese glue. Bread and Butter pickles are an awesome combination of sweet and salty… oh gosh, good! Pickled onions are sharp and almost spicy. Creamy, sweet, and spicy… and there’s buttery bread! I mean… come on!
Grilled until golden and served with extra pickles, onions, and pineapple orange juice.
The Bread and Butter pickles are store-bought. Considering how quickly I go through these things, you’d think I’d make my own jars. Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles really should get in my life. I did, however, make my own Pickles Red Onions. These were as easy and simmering vinegar and sugar and spices. I used Elise’s Pickled Red Onion recipe from Simply Recipes.
Do what you will.
Pickles and Brie Grilled Cheese
makes 2 sandwiches
4 slices sourdough bread
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
8 sliced bread and butter pickles
1/3 cup pickled red onions
4 ounces brie cheese
butter for grilling
Spread two slices of bread with whole grain mustard.
One the two other slices of bread, spread the Brie (rind and all). Top with sliced pickles and pickles red onions. Sandwich the mustardy slice of bread atop the pickled sliced of bread.
Place 1 scant tablespoon of butter in a nonstick skillet. Turn the heat to medium and melt butter. Add sandwiches to the pan and cook until both sides are golden brown, flipping once.
Remove from the pan and allow to cool on a clean cutting board for 2 minutes. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Axelle the french cook
I do totally understand !!
One year ago, I went sick. A very bad flu. I went to the drugstore, to buy some medicine. I was dressed with an ooooold tracksuit, I was without make up, of course, my hairs were dirty messed up, no lens but glasses… well, not sexy AT ALL !
And I was praying to meet no one.
Of course, in the drugstore, I met the WORST gossip person of my work !
She had a strange reaction, looking at me and told me :
“OH MY ! I did not recognize you ! What a face !!”
… I sneezed on her, hoping to give her my flu ! :)
cindy
ex-ladyfriend encounters are the WORST. this happened to me a few months ago. being friendly about it is important (nice the hell out of her!!), but it’s hard and sometimes (all times) you need a lunch-drink and a best-girlfriend chat to recover.
cindy
ps, bread and butter pickles/cheese sandwiches with chips on top are my number one hangover food.
Sylvia
I just discovered the pure awesomeness of peanut butter and pickle sandwiches…and now pickles and brie grilled cheese? I am so there!
Candice @ The Savory and The Beautiful
See, i knew it joy. I always see you on here full of sugar and spice, but i also always say don’t mistake her kindness for weakness. Girl, i’d totally cheer you on in a cage fight…lol. So funny you mention this awkward feeling, i freakin’ get that too and guess what, it happened to me last night at the gym. I bumped into an ex-friend—the worst part is every time i bump into him i’m caught completely off guard and all i can do is grin like an idiot.—Note to self: next time don’t grin like an idiot. By the way, I know so many pickleholics, it’s kool, you’re not alone.
Amanda
I did not need to be convinced of the merits of a toasted cheese and pickle sandwich, although pickles are not my nervous snack of choice. I only nervous snack at 3am, which is more of a jam toast time for me.
All the best for your upcoming karmic event. I’m sure you’ll blitz it.
Sophie
I love grilled cheese sandwiches, they are just heaven! Not a major fan of pickles, but if you say they go so nicely with grilled cheese, maybe I should give it a go?
x
Chris
Mmmmm… grilled cheese and a cage fight.
Jayne
I need no convincing about how fabulous pickles and cheese go together. But brie! My favourite cheese forever! I reckon it goes with EVERYTHING.
Courtelizab
OH man. I’m not sure if this is a regional thing, but even so – you need to get these in your life. They are called Wickles and I seriously can’t imagine a pickle I could love more. They are sweet like bread and butter pickles but spicy. I can’t even talk to you about Wickle relish in tuna salads…I’ll swoon. Check it out if you are a pickle lover! I can’t even explain how good they are!
Christina
ditto on the wickles! we love pickles in my family and always have a jar of wickles hanging around.
Jen
Double ditto on the Wickles. They are the best! Especially in the middle of a ham and swiss rollup.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
LOVING the honesty in this post. And we’ve all been there, from random ex’s – both boyfriends to ex-ladyfriends – and then bumping into them. Always a blast :)
And I love pickles too. And brie. Who doesn’t love that! At first I thought your onions were pickled ginger, which would have actually made this like my perfect sandwich ever!
kathryn
joy! you’ve got to get psyched for this karmatic-awkward-run-in! because whoever this ex-someone is, they ain’t got anything on you, ladyfriend. you’re a published author, you’ve got a super fun podcast, a legion of fans rooting you on!! and you’ll be prepared for it and you’ll already have lip gloss on, because you just will, put it out into the universe. to get super prepared/pumped for what lies ahead, you should arm yourself with a few new products. may i recommend “tarte” brand BB cream? well, i just did, and i recommend it to the world because it’s that good. i wore it for like 36 hours straight camping/drinking/concerting and someone complimented my skin, it’s the best. i think you’re also a lip girl like myself, and i totes adore revelon balm stain. no worries joy, you’ve got this! smile!!
ps: this is kathryn who has written you a buncha times about UYD, high low skirts, i wrote you about being a nanny in switzerland etccc.. and i just wanted to tell you i’m following my dreams and going to culinary school and i’m stoked and i’ll be taking your cookbook with me to colorado (i live in northern ca). wish me luck!!!
jfo
I used to eat cheese and pickle sandwiches (on toast, of course) in college all the time. There is something so comforting about that combination.
Holiday Baker Man
This can’t help but be good!
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry
This post reminds me of the time my ex boyfriend broke up with me on the car ride back from San Diego to L.A with an hour and a half to go. Plus, I was in my pajamas, no makeup and looking like a hot mess. Talk about awkward. One or five of these sandwiches might erase that painful memory. Maybe.
Andrea @ mrswebbinthekitchen
Yum!!! Three exclamation points is actually NOT overdoing it… I want to make this, um, five minutes ago!! I am a fellow pickle fiend. Also, love that you chose OJ as your beverage of choice here.
gayle
Ha! I have two quarts of FREEZER bread and butter pickles stashed away in my basement freezer. Made them in fall, and tucked them away for an occasion like this….. thanks.