The concept of eating after midnight will always be associated with that '80s classic horror movie Gremlins, where they couldn’t feed the little gizmos after midnight or they'd turn into a slimy and ugly gremlin that terrorizes the town. On the other hand, it may remind you of what your parents would tell you, that you’re not supposed to eat too late.
Often reminded that as an adult we can eat at whatever time we want, without fear of consequence (other than indigestion), or judgment. Keeping that in mind, the thought of having a midnight snack for whatever reason whether it’s to pull an all-nighter to keep to a work or school deadline, or you’re up watching a classic film or perhaps you’re catching up on bad reality TV. It can all encompass the same thought— what’s good to eat after midnight?
We're not talking about any of those overly saturated fatty, salty fast food places. This is “you are home, all cozy and not leaving your place, I can make my own deliciously savory and/or salty snack," snack. Which is more than relatively healthy.
Fancy Midnight Toast
What you’ll need:
A good crusty whole grain loaf of (unsliced) bread like a dark rye or a nice seedy ciabatta. Dark rye cranberry and walnut loaf used for this recipe and purchased from Whole Foods Market.🍞
3oz. Spicy White Cheddar Pimento Cheese (My Three Sons)
2 Pickled Red Peppers (We used jarred Sweet Piquillo Peppers)
2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
6 Pcs. Turkey bacon (see below for baking details)
2 Slices of good Pepper Jack Cheese
Seasonings:
½ Tsp. Ground black pepper
½ Tsp. Sea salt
A Dash of Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbsp. Red Pepper Flakes
2 Tbsp. Brown or Natural Can Sugar
½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) this will be used for multiple parts.
Preparation
Preheat the oven 350°
Please the crusty loaf of bread on a clean dry cutting board use a sharp serrated knife and a slice of 1 inch thick piece of the loaf for the best results slice the front piece off to flatten it to fly and your love and then slice your piece
Once sliced take 1/2 tablespoon of the unsalted butter spread it on one side of the slice place buttered side slice down on wax paper, on a flat baking sheet. Then spoon about 2 tablespoons of the spicy white cheddar pimento cheese.
Take one slice of the pepper jack cheese and slice with a knife diagonally. Place cheese on top of the pimento spread so it’s laying on top/across.
Place baking sheet on middle rack in oven for six minutes so, cheese can semi-melt. Take baking sheet out of oven, while hot place why slices (slice down to three equal pieces) of crispy turkey bacon across the top of the melted cheese. Then add the three slices of pickled red sweet piquillo peppers
Place on the middle rack again and bake for six more minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes and serve.
How to bake your turkey bacon
Take 3 to 4 slices of turkey bacon lay flat on a cooking sheet with wax paper or nonstick cooking sheet use a smidge of olive oil for the turkey begin to lay on top use half a teaspoon of ground pepper and sprinkle on top half of a teaspoon of cane sugar or brown sugar sprinkle on top lightly sprinkle a half tablespoon of cayenne pepper place in the oven rack middle rack at 350° for 12 minutes take out flip do the same instructions as above heat for 12 more minutes let stand for 5 to 7 minutes for extra crispiness and serve.
