Kamil Perry
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food. While they are easy to make, there are many ways to prepare them, and the method you choose can have a big impact on the final result. The main question is: do you butter the pan, the bread, or both? The answer depends on your personal preference for texture and flavour.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Fat | Butter, Mayonnaise, Olive Oil, Bacon Fat |
| Application Method | Spread on Bread, Melted in Pan, or Both |
| Bread Type | White, Whole Wheat, Rye, Potato, Brioche, Sour Dough |
| Cheese Type | Cheddar, American, Gouda, Gruyére, Havarti, Mozzarella |
| Bread Texture | Soft yet Sturdy, Thick |
| Heat | Medium-Low |
| Browning | Even, Golden |
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What You'll Learn
Buttering the pan
To butter the pan, add a generous amount of butter to a skillet or non-stick pan and heat it until melted. You can use unsalted or salted butter, whichever you prefer or have available. Once the butter is melted, place the bread slices into the pan. Some recipes suggest grilling one side of each bread slice first, then flipping them over, adding cheese, and finishing grilling. This way, the bread soaks up some butter and gets grilled to a golden brown colour.
It is important to keep an eye on the heat when buttering the pan, as butter tends to burn easily, which can lead to overcooked bread and a smoky kitchen. Covering the pan while cooking can help ensure that the cheese melts fully while the bread gets crispy.
While buttering the pan is a viable option, some people prefer to butter the bread directly to have more control over the amount of butter used and to achieve better browning and flavour.
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Buttering the bread
When buttering the bread, it is important to use softened butter for easier spreading. Some people also like to add a small amount of mayonnaise on top of the butter, as it adds a delicate crispness to the sandwich without overpowering the flavour. Full-fat mayonnaise is recommended over low-fat options to ensure the sandwich crisps up well.
The type of butter used can also make a difference. Some prefer salted butter as it adds extra flavour to the sandwich. However, unsalted butter can also be used if that is what is available.
After buttering the bread, the next step is to assemble the sandwich. Place the cheese between the two slices of bread, with the buttered sides facing outwards. This assembly ensures that the cheese melts evenly and that the bread cooks uniformly.
Once the sandwich is assembled, it is ready to be cooked. Place the sandwich in a hot skillet or pan and cook over medium-low heat until the bottom slice is golden brown. Then, flip the sandwich and cook the other side until it, too, is golden and the cheese is melted. It is important to keep an eye on the sandwich while it cooks, as butter can burn easily, leading to overcooked bread. Covering the pan during cooking can help prevent burning and ensure that the cheese melts fully.
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Using salted butter
While some people prefer to melt butter in a skillet and then add the bread and cheese, others argue that buttering the bread will result in a better grilled cheese sandwich. However, if you want to use salted butter, you should spread a little bit on each slice of bread. This will add a touch more flavor and a delicate, crispy bite that you can't get from using butter alone. You can also try spreading mayonnaise on the bread before adding the butter to enhance the crispiness.
If you want to use salted butter in the pan, you can try adding the butter to a hot pan first and then placing both slices of bread down to soak up the butter before adding the cheese. This method can be tricky, as it's easy to judge the heat incorrectly and end up soaking up the butter before browning, leaving soggy bread.
Another option is to use a combination of salted butter and mayonnaise in the pan. This method guarantees a sandwich with perfectly golden bread and fully melted, gooey cheese in the center.
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, it's important to use a bread that is soft yet sturdy and no more than about 1/2-inch thick. You can use white bread, whole wheat, rye, potato bread, or even a brioche loaf. As for cheese, classic options include American and cheddar, but other great choices are gouda, havarti, and mozzarella.
Keep in mind that butter tends to burn easily, so if you're using salted butter in the pan, be sure to cook over medium-low heat. Cover the pan while cooking to help the cheese melt evenly.
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Using mayonnaise
Mayonnaise also adds a tangy flavour to the sandwich and creates a crisp exterior. You can add extra flavour by mixing in shredded Gruyere or Parmesan, or a tablespoon of pesto.
Some people prefer to use butter on the inside of the sandwich and mayonnaise on the outside to get the best of both worlds. However, some people dislike the flavour change that mayonnaise brings, and prefer to stick to butter.
If you are using mayonnaise, it's important to use full-fat mayonnaise, as light mayonnaise has less fat and more water, which can result in a soggy sandwich.
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Using olive oil
Olive oil is a great alternative to butter when making grilled cheese sandwiches. It is common in a lot of kitchens, but people rarely use it for grilled cheese. However, it can add a nuttier, more robust flavour to the sandwich. It is also healthier than butter, as it is heart-healthy.
To use olive oil for grilled cheese, heat your skillet to a medium-low temperature. Then, brush or spread half a tablespoon of olive oil on one side of a slice of bread. Place the slice of bread, oil-side down, into the hot skillet. Immediately add two slices of cheese on top of the bread and cover the skillet with a lid. You can also add some cracked sea salt to both sides of the bread before placing it in the skillet.
You can also use a combination of olive oil and butter for your grilled cheese sandwich. This will give you the best of both worlds in terms of flavour and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Buttering the pan is a common method for making grilled cheese. However, some people prefer to butter the bread instead, as it can be easier to control the heat and prevent the butter from burning.
Buttering the pan can create a crispy crust on the grilled cheese sandwich and allow the bread to soak up the butter.
Buttering the pan can sometimes lead to the butter burning before the cheese has melted, resulting in overcooked bread and a smoky kitchen.
Buttering the bread can result in better browning and extra flavor. It also decreases the chances of burning.
Yes, you can use olive oil or bacon fat to grease the pan, or mayonnaise on the bread.
