Honeycrisp Apple, Cheddar, Bacon and Bitter Greens Sandwich

Ingredients

• 5  honeycrisp apples thinly sliced
• 5 cups arugula 
• 1 stick butter at room temperature
• 20 slices pumpernickel bread 
• 5 cups sharp artisanal cheddar such as tillamook grated
• 40 strips bacon thick-cut

Equipment

• frying pan
• paper towels

Directions

1. Preheat a griddle over medium-high heat.
2. Lay the bacon strips on the griddle. Cook the bacon until browned and crisp.
3. Drain the bacon on paper towels and reserve the bacon fat.
4. To build your grilled cheese, place 1/4 cup of thecheese on the bottom of aslice of bread. Top with 2 slices bacon, 4 slices apple, some arugula,1/4 cup more of the cheese and another slice of bread. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
5. Spread each side of the sandwich with some of the butter. Griddle until the bread is toasted, golden brown and delicious, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
6. Cut each sandwich into 4 pieces and serve.