Les Horvath, Paul Brown, Howard Cassady, Woody Hayes, Bob Ferguson, Paul Warfield, Jim Stillwagon, Mike Sensibaugh, Jack Tatum, Rex Kern, Jim Otis, John Hicks, Jim Tressel, Maurice Clarett, Craig Krenzel, Mike Doss, Urban Meyer, Car-dale Jones, Zeke Elliot, Joey Bosa. Names immortalized in Buckeye lore. Names marked by the designation “National Champion.” In 2 days, this team has the opportunity to add their names to that list. Jack Sawyer couldn’t have said it any better. One more, then forever. 

With it being quite frigid in Columbus at gametime, I have some cold weather favorite grilled cheese recipes for our final game of the season.

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese 

Ingredients

• 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 3 Tbsp buffalo sauce (we use Frank’s)
• 1 ½ Tbsp mayo (can substitute mayo out for ranch)
• 3 Tbsp carrot, grated
• 3 Tbsp celery, finely sliced
• 3 Tbsp green onion, diced
• 3 Tbsp blue cheese, crumbled (when we use the ranch, we omit the blue cheese)
• 3 Tbsp salted butter
• 6 slices of bread
• 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Mix the chicken, buffalo sauce, mayo, carrot, celery, onion, and blue cheese in a small bowl.
2. Butter the outside of each slice of bread, sprinkle half the cheddar on the inside of 3 of the slices. Top with the buffalo chicken mixture, the remaining cheese, and remaining slices of bread.
3. Grill in a pan or on a griddle, preheated over medium heat, until golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.

Bonus Grilled Cheese Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

• 3 jalapeno peppers, cut in half length-wise and seeded
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 6 slices of sourdough bread
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 6 Tbsp cream cheese, room temperature

Directions

1. Place peppers on a baking sheet with the cut side facing down. Place on the top shelf of the oven and broil until the outer layer of skin has blackened, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Set the peppers aside to cool. After you can handle them, pinch off the blackened skins. Use gloves to keep pepper oils off your skin.
3. Butter the outside of each slice of bread and spread cream cheese on the inside. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese mixture on top of cream cheese, top with 2 jalapeno halves, remaining shredded cheese mixture, and the top pieces of bread.
4. Grill in a pan or on a griddle, preheated over medium heat, until golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.

Pro Tips

• Add bacon to the grilled cheeses. I personally crumble up the bacon for the buffalo chicken and leave it in strips for the jalapeno popper.
• You might consider a raspberry jelly/jam to either use as a spread or a dip for the jalapeno popper grilled cheese.
• Crumble up some tortilla chips to add to the jalapeno popper sandwich to add some crunchy texture.

Thanks for a great season, everyone. Finish the job!

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