The General Recipe

Name: The General Deli & Cafes THE GENERAL Recipe
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 slices cracked wheat sandwich bread (sliced) or cracked wheat roll; 2 slices mild cheddar cheese, sliced; 30 g feta cheese, crumbled; 2 slices pepper jack cheese, sliced; 1 each ripe tomato, medium; 1 tbs unsalted butter (optional, for toasting bread); 3 tbs mayonnaise; 1 tsp sriracha sauce; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp olive oil (optional, for grilling); 3 leaves fresh basil or baby arugula (optional); 0.25 tsp salt (for tomato); 0.125 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (for tomato)

Inspired by The General Deli & Cafe

Time15m

Serves1

Cheddar, Feta, Pepper Jack, Tomato, and Sriracha Mayo on Cracked Wheat

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Ingredients

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Sandwich

2 slices cracked wheat sandwich bread (sliced) or cracked wheat roll

2 slices mild cheddar cheese, sliced

1.06 oz (30 g) Feta cheese, crumbled

2 slices pepper jack cheese, sliced

1 each ripe tomato, medium

1 tbs unsalted butter (optional, for toasting bread)

Sriracha Mayo

3 tbs Mayonnaise

1 tsp Sriracha sauce

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp Watkins garlic powder

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Finish & Seasoning

1 tsp olive oil (optional, for grilling)

3 leaves fresh basil or baby arugula (optional)

1/4 tsp salt (for tomato)

1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (for tomato)

Method

Sriracha Mayo

Make the sauce

In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust heat/salt; set aside in refrigerator while you assemble the sandwich.

Sandwich Prep

Prepare tomato

Wash and dry the tomato. Slice into 1/4-inch rounds (about 4-5 slices from a medium tomato). Lay tomato slices on a paper towel, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper; let sit 2–3 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then pat dry.

Assemble cheeses

Lay one slice of cracked wheat bread on a cutting board. Place 1 slice of cheddar, then evenly sprinkle the 30 g crumbled feta over the cheddar, and top with 1 slice of pepper jack. This stacking helps the feta distribute flavor between the melted cheeses.

Toast or grill (optional)

Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. If toasting bread, lightly butter the outer faces of both bread slices or brush with 1 tsp olive oil. Place the assembled cheese-topped slice in the skillet, cover with the second bread slice (buttered side up) and press gently with a spatula. Cook 2–3 minutes per side, flipping once, until cheese is melted and bread is golden. If using an oven broiler, place open-faced under broiler 1–2 minutes just to melt cheese, then close sandwich and toast briefly to golden.

Add tomato and sauce

Remove sandwich from heat. Spread 1–1.5 tablespoons of the prepared sriracha mayo onto the top slice of bread (inside). Layer the tomato slices over the melted cheeses, and if using, add fresh basil leaves or a small handful of arugula for brightness.

Finish and serve

Close the sandwich, press gently, and slice in half diagonally. Serve immediately while warm. If desired, serve extra sriracha mayo on the side for dipping.