I met somebody. Someone inspiring, someone encouraging…

Okay, I’m being dramatic. But I did meet a few people who inspired me to return to my blogging despite the challenges of few ingredients and little time or desire to cook.

See, Washington DC is just an awesome place. Especially for a foodie. There are hole-in-the-wall restaurants everywhere, new chains, and so many different neighborhoods to explore, each with its own plethora of unique restaurants! And that has unfortunately had a negative effect on both my blog and my wallet.

It’s been a lot easier to go out or just just come home to a bowl of cereal after a long day of work and a sticky walk home. But – last week I read about a food bloggers happy hour meet-up and though I would give it a shot! Despite my nervousness about talking to “real” bloggers, I had a blast! And they inspired me to get back in the kitchen and create some tasty, simple recipes.

Well this might just be the best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever had. And let me tell you, I have eaten a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches.

I could live off of grilled cheese. Actually, in the last three years I pretty much have. Freshman year and sophomore year, when I was living in the dorms, I ate the pepper jack sandwich with sweet jalapeño jelly for at least half my meals. No kidding. Then this past year, I always had bread and cheese on hand and made grilled cheese for lunch far too often.

Well, this version takes the cake. Crushed blueberries in a balsamic reduction spread over sandwich bread and topped with a sprinkling of basil and thick slices of fontina cheese. I needn’t say anything more… You better run to your kitchen and try this.

Blueberry Basil Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Recipe adapted from Amandakbythebay
Makes 1 grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients:

1/2 cup blueberries
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 basil leaf
2 slices of your favorite bread
Cheese, whichever kind you prefer on your grilled cheese and enough slices to melt nice and thick (need to offset the sweetness of the blueberries)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, sugar and vinegar. Crush the blueberries with a spatula and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce heat to low, keeping a slow boil. Let boil down for 5 minutes, stirring often.

2. Butter one side of each bread slice. Pour the blueberry mixture into a strainer set over a bowl to catch the juice. Strain out all the juice and spread the blueberry mixture on one (unbuttered-side) slice of bread. (The remaining syrup can be kept for something else!) Sprinkle the basil over the blueberry spread and top with cheese and the remaining slice of bread (keep buttered sides on outside!).

3. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Cook the sandwich for a few minutes on each side, checking to make sure it doesn’t burn, and then enjoy the sweet goodness!