Bushra Griffith
The grilled cheese sandwich is a beloved staple, but what constitutes a grilled cheese and what makes a melt has sparked much debate. Some are adamant that a grilled cheese should only ever consist of bread, butter, and cheese, while others argue that a grilled cheese can include a few toppings. The addition of ingredients like meat or vegetables is what seems to distinguish a melt from a grilled cheese, but the lines are blurred as some grilled cheese purists insist that any toppings at all make it a melt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cheese, Bread, Spread (usually butter) |
| Primary Ingredient | Cheese |
| Auxiliary Fillings | More than two auxiliary fillings or a single protein source |
| Toppings | Tomato, Pickles, Jalapeno Peppers |
| Bread Type | Sourdough, French Bread |
| Texture | Crumbs |
| Accompaniments | Soup |
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What You'll Learn
- Grilled cheese is made with toasted bread, melts are made with untoasted bread
- Grilled cheese is made with a skillet or griddle, melts are broiled in the oven
- Grilled cheese is a simple sandwich, melts have additional ingredients
- Grilled cheese is made with butter or mayo, melts have a variety of sauces
- Grilled cheese is crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, melts have a variety of textures
Grilled cheese is made with toasted bread, melts are made with untoasted bread
There is a clear difference between a grilled cheese sandwich and a melt sandwich. While both sandwiches are made with cheese, the key differentiator is the bread. Grilled cheese sandwiches are made with toasted bread, while melts are made with untoasted bread.
Grilled cheese purists insist that a grilled cheese sandwich should only consist of two ingredients: cheese and toasted bread with a spread, usually butter. Any deviation from this recipe, such as adding extra fillings or a protein source, turns it into a melt. For example, adding cheese to a tuna sandwich creates a tuna melt, and a sandwich with pulled pork, bacon, breadcrumbs, and spinach would be a melt, not a grilled cheese.
The distinction between a grilled cheese and a melt is a contentious issue among sandwich enthusiasts, with some people expressing strong opinions about the sanctity of the grilled cheese sandwich and its distinct identity. Some even go as far as to call those who blur the lines between the two sandwiches "heretics" and "savages."
While the term "melt" may be an internet meme rather than a widely accepted definition, the debate over the grilled cheese vs. melt distinction continues to rage on in the world of sandwich enthusiasts.
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Grilled cheese is made with a skillet or griddle, melts are broiled in the oven
There is a clear difference between a grilled cheese sandwich and a melt sandwich. A grilled cheese is a classic, simple dish consisting of cheese and bread with a spread, usually butter. It is cooked in a skillet or on a griddle, with the heat browning the bread and melting the cheese. On the other hand, melts are made in the oven and can include a variety of fillings.
The grilled cheese sandwich is a beloved staple, and many are passionate about keeping its recipe pure and distinct from melts. Some people strongly oppose the idea of adding extra ingredients to a grilled cheese, arguing that doing so transforms it into a melt. For purists, the grilled cheese is sacred, and they believe it should be respected and not altered with additional toppings or fillings.
The distinction between a grilled cheese and a melt is not just a matter of semantics but a source of strong emotions for some. While the grilled cheese is revered for its simplicity, with some arguing that adding any extra ingredients ruins the sandwich, others feel that a melt is simply a grilled cheese with additional toppings. They argue that as long as cheese is the primary ingredient, it is still a grilled cheese.
However, the consensus seems to be that a melt is a grilled cheese with additional fillings. These fillings can include meats such as bacon or prosciutto, vegetables like spinach or caramelized onions, or even breadcrumbs. While a grilled cheese is typically cooked on a stovetop, melts are often broiled in the oven, giving them a different texture and cooking the fillings more evenly.
In conclusion, while grilled cheese and melts may seem similar, they are distinct dishes. Grilled cheese is a traditional, straightforward sandwich cooked on a stovetop, while melts are cooked in the oven and feature a variety of fillings that elevate them beyond the simplicity of a grilled cheese.
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Grilled cheese is a simple sandwich, melts have additional ingredients
Grilled cheese is a simple sandwich, typically consisting of just bread, cheese, and a spread such as butter or mayonnaise. Some people may add a few toppings, such as different types of cheese, or use different types of bread, such as sourdough or French bread. However, adding too many toppings or fillings can take away from the cheese, the star of the sandwich.
On the other hand, melts are grilled sandwiches that have cheese as one of the ingredients, but not the primary one. Melts often include additional ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or breadcrumbs. For example, a tuna melt includes tuna, and a ham bacon melt includes ham and bacon. These sandwiches are still grilled and still have cheese, but the additional ingredients make them something other than a grilled cheese sandwich.
Some people feel strongly that the two should not be confused and that a melt should not be called a grilled cheese. They argue that a grilled cheese is a classic, simple sandwich that should be loved and respected for what it is, without being turned into something else.
The distinction between a grilled cheese and a melt can be a source of irritation for some, who feel that their beloved grilled cheese is being misrepresented. However, others may see the two as part of the same family of sandwiches, with some overlap in ingredients and preparation methods. Ultimately, the names given to these sandwiches may depend on personal preference and the specific ingredients included.
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Grilled cheese is made with butter or mayo, melts have a variety of sauces
There is a clear difference between a grilled cheese sandwich and a melt sandwich. A grilled cheese consists of bread, cheese, and a spread, usually butter or mayo. A melt, on the other hand, is a hot, grilled sandwich with cheese and a variety of other fillings. The key distinction is that a grilled cheese has cheese as the primary ingredient, whereas a melt can have multiple fillings or a single protein source that could stand alone as a sandwich filling, such as meat or tuna.
The debate over the difference between grilled cheese and melt sandwiches has sparked strong opinions on Reddit, with some users expressing frustration over the blurring of the two terms. Some users insist that a grilled cheese should only include cheese, bread, and a spread, typically butter or mayonnaise. Any additional ingredients, such as meat or vegetables, would qualify the sandwich as a melt.
The distinction between a grilled cheese and a melt is not just a matter of semantics but a source of passion for many. Some commenters have gone as far as to call it a religious issue, expressing outrage at the idea of adding toppings to a grilled cheese. They argue that a grilled cheese should be respected and appreciated for what it is, without being transformed into something else.
While the exact definition of a melt may be the subject of internet memes and lighthearted debate, the consensus is that a melt contains a variety of sauces and fillings, while a grilled cheese is more limited in its ingredients. The grilled cheese purists insist that adding cheese to a tuna sandwich, for example, does not make it a grilled cheese but a tuna melt. Similarly, adding pulled pork or bacon to a grilled cheese turns it into a melt.
The line between a grilled cheese and a melt may be a fine one, but for many, it is a sacred distinction that must be respected. The addition of sauces and various fillings may enhance a melt, but it takes away from the simplicity and purity of a grilled cheese sandwich.
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Grilled cheese is crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, melts have a variety of textures
Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish, but what exactly constitutes a grilled cheese sandwich has become a highly contested topic. Some people are adamant that a grilled cheese should only ever consist of bread, cheese, and a spread, usually butter. Any additional ingredients, they argue, turn it into a melt.
However, others believe that the line between grilled cheese and melt is blurred. They argue that as long as cheese is the primary ingredient, a few extra toppings shouldn't disqualify it from being a grilled cheese. After all, a grilled cheese with a variety of textures and flavors can be a delightful culinary experience. The outside of the sandwich is crispy, the cheese is gooey, and the addition of toppings like caramelized onions, apples, or even crumbled bacon can take this sandwich to the next level.
The debate has sparked strong emotions, with some people feeling irritated and even driven to create separate subreddits to uphold the integrity of the grilled cheese. They see the grilled cheese as a sacred dish, and the addition of various ingredients and the association with melts as blasphemous.
On the other hand, some people find the idea of a simple grilled cheese sandwich unappetizing, believing that the addition of toppings is necessary to make it a more satisfying meal. They argue that the distinction between grilled cheese and melt is not a clear-cut definition but rather an internet meme.
Regardless of the strong opinions on either side, it's safe to say that the grilled cheese, with its crispy exterior and gooey interior, holds a special place in many people's hearts, even inspiring culinary creativity and experimentation.
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Frequently asked questions
A grilled cheese sandwich consists of cheese, bread, and a spread, usually butter. A melt is a hot, grilled sandwich with some cheese and other ingredients.
A tuna melt, a patty melt, and a ham bacon melt are all examples of melts.
Some people believe that a grilled cheese sandwich should only contain cheese, bread, and a spread. Others believe that you can add a few toppings, such as apples, bacon, or caramelized onions, without it becoming a melt.
The whole 'melt' thing is just an internet meme, and it is not an actual definition used in real life.
Some people are very passionate about grilled cheese sandwiches and believe that calling a melt a grilled cheese sandwich is utter blasphemy. Others believe that you can add a few toppings to a grilled cheese sandwich without it becoming a melt.
