BARACKli Raben Hood - Goat Cheese, Balsamic Glaze, Roasted Garlic and Broccoli Rabe Grilled Cheese

I have a huge crush on Obama. I like that he drinks orange juice in the morning, shoots hoops in the afternoon, and indulges in the occasional cigarette. He's a real dude, a great dad, and his wife and kids are cute and awesome. I also like him even more now that his four years in the white house have made his hair all salt and peppery and sexy. And of course, I like him for his political stance as well. Not only did I vote for him because it's super important that all of my friends are able to have equal rights and marry whomever they want, but I also think that as a young woman, his views on women's rights match those of my own. Here's where I shout "keep your rosaries off my ovaries!". Additionally, because of his health care reform, I've also been able to keep my affordable health insurance for a few more years and god knows that with all these sharp knives I play with, I truly need it.

Not that y'all need any motivation to vote or that you even care to know who I voted for, but I wanted to share the back-story behind my Obama themed grilled cheese. My good buddies over at ACME studio have been throwing parties for the debate and of course, it wouldn't be a party unless I brought food and puns and that's how this little grilled cheese got started. During the first debate I made Barackli rabe flat bread and MacaRomney and cheese. I turned the flat bread into a grilled cheese because it was such a hit and this semi-healthy, but extremely delicious sammich has roasted garlic, fresh goat cheese, roasted broccoli rabe, and balsamic glaze. It's definitely a winner, just like Barack Obama! (fingers crossed)

Get ya goodies to make this during the celebration tonight

Ingredients

- ¼ cup of fresh goat cheese
- 1 teaspoon of balsamic glaze
- ¼ cup of roasted broccoli rabe
  (trim off stems, toss with olive oil, salt
    and pepper, bake at 500 until wilted and
    starting to brown; about 5-7 minutes)
- 1 small pita
- 1 bulb of roasted garlic
   (cut off top of garlic bulb, and place in
     tin foil, drizzle with olive oil and salt and
     seal. bake on 400 for 45 minutes)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (not pictured)

Begin by gently pulling your pita into two halves and then crumble half of your goat cheese onto one side. I always use Vermont Creamery's Goat Cheese because I think its perfectly lemony, bright, and smooth. It melts really nice too - unlike most chevres which get gritty when heated. I also think this tart cheese matches Obama's spunk so I like it even more.

Next, add a few cloves of roasted garlic. These sweet, smooth, and delicately spicy cloves balance out the bitterness from the greens and goat cheese. They also remind me of how suave Obama was when he sang that little Al Green ditty. I just melt thinking about it...meep!

Now it's time for the bitter greens. Just add a couple of roasted broccoli rabe leaves for an extra bite. This will also make the texture of this grilled cheese a little more interesting. The broccoli part also looks like Obama's hair and that makes me giggle.

Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. I always have Acetum Blaze balsamic reduction on hand but if you don't, you can easily make it yourself.

To make your own balsamic glaze, just heat a pan on high and add a half cup of balsamic vinegar and a tablespoon of apple juice. Boil until the liquid reduces and coats the back of the spoon. Remove from heat and use it however you'd like.

Before you put it in the pan, add the remaining goat cheese and place the other piece of pita, interior side down, on top. Almost ready!

Heat a pan over high heat and drizzle some olive oil into it. Gently place your grilled cheese in and smear it around so it evenly soaks up the olive oil. Let it cook for just a few minutes until the pita browns and the goat cheese starts to soften up. Flip it and repeat. When its finished, take it off the stove and let it sit for a few minutes to firm up.

No matter who you voted for, this grilled cheese is sure to please. Even more so if you voted for my number one main man, Obama!

xoxo,

GCS