all-purpose jalapeño sauce

this is a multi-purpose sauce that can be used on quesadillas, paninis, burgers, etc… it is pictured on my southwest chicken grilled panini.

• 1/4 c mayo
• 2 tsp. canned jalapeños, finely chopped (omit the seeds to dial the heat down a notch)
• 2 tsp. juice from canned jalapeños
• 3/4 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp. chili powder
• dash of salt

1. combine all ingredients in a small container using a spatula

i create a quadruple batch (or so) and leave it in the fridge.  it keeps just as long as regular mayonnaise. below are some tasty ideas that utilize this sauce quite well:

southwest chicken grilled panini

• bread (i prefer bread fresh from the local bakery, you can slice it however you like it.)
• butter
• grilled chicken pieces
• bacon
• tomato
• onion, thinly sliced
• shredded cheddar cheese

1. preheat griddle
2. butter the outside slices of bread.
3. on one slice of bread, place the ingredients in the following order: chicken, bacon, onion, tomato, cheese.  place on the griddle
4. spread the jalapeño sauce on the opposite slice, top the sandwich.
5. grill until golden and crispy

admittedly, the panini was inspired by my chicken quesadillas.  i still think that the sandwich is a good variation from the original:

chicken quesadillas

• burrito size flour tortillas
• grilled chicken pieces
• bacon (optional)
• tomato (optional)
• onion (optional)
• shredded cheddar cheese
• velveeta cheese, sliced and halved into triangles

1. on one half of the tortilla, place the ingredients in the following order: chicken, bacon, onion, tomato, shredded cheese, two triangles of velveeta cheese
2. on the other half, spread the sauce
3. fold in half and place on griddle.  grill until both sides are browned
4. quarter the quesadilla

enjoy!