Kamil Perry
Grilled cheese is a classic, simple dish that can be made in a variety of ways. The basic ingredients are sliced bread, butter, and cheese, with the option to add other toppings or fillings. The sandwich is cooked on a flat, greased surface, such as a skillet or panini press, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. The trick to achieving the perfect grilled cheese is in the preparation of the bread and butter, as well as the type of cheese used. Restaurants may have their own methods and techniques for creating their signature grilled cheese sandwiches, but the key to a great grilled cheese is in the grilling process itself.
Characteristics of Restaurant-Style Grilled Cheese:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Thick-cut, white, sourdough, Italian ciabatta, French boule, brioche, rye, potato, whole wheat, pumpernickel |
| Butter | Spread on the outside of the sandwich, brushed or melted in the pan |
| Cheese | American, Cheddar, Gruyere, Raclette, Mozzarella, Fontina, Swiss, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Provolone, Gouda, Brie |
| Other Ingredients | Mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt |
| Cooking Method | Skillet, Panini press, oven, outdoor grill |
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What You'll Learn
Bread type and thickness
The type and thickness of bread used for grilled cheese can significantly impact the overall taste and texture of the sandwich. While personal preferences may vary, here are some insights into bread selection and preparation for achieving that sought-after, crispy, and buttery grilled cheese:
Bread Type:
- Classic choices: White bread and American cheese are a traditional combination that many people grew up with. This duo is a base for many grilled cheese sandwiches and is easily customizable.
- Sourdough: This bread variety adds a tangy twist to the sandwich and pairs well with various cheeses. Its slightly chewy texture and robust flavour can hold up to the gooey, melted cheese.
- Brioche: Brioche bread brings a rich, buttery flavour and a soft, fluffy texture to the grilled cheese. Its tight crumb structure can prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
- Rye: Rye bread contributes a earthy, slightly sour flavour to the grilled cheese. Its dense texture and robust flavour can stand up to stronger-tasting cheeses.
- Potato: Potato bread is a unique option that can add moisture and a soft texture to the sandwich. It has a subtle potato flavour that pairs well with various cheeses.
Bread Thickness:
- Thick-cut bread is often preferred for grilled cheese sandwiches as it provides a substantial base for the melted cheese. It ensures that the sandwich has a good bread-to-cheese ratio and prevents the cheese from overwhelming the bread.
- However, it is important to note that if the bread is too thick, it may pose a challenge for the cheese to melt properly. Therefore, a balance is necessary to ensure the bread is thick enough to provide a hearty bite while still allowing the cheese to melt evenly.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches are typically made with sliced bread rather than a whole loaf to ensure even cooking and melting.
Experimenting with different types and thicknesses of bread can help you find the perfect combination that suits your taste preferences and achieves the desired crispy, buttery texture that characterizes a well-made grilled cheese sandwich.
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Butter application
The first step to achieving a perfect grilled cheese sandwich is to prepare the bread. It is recommended to use thick-cut bread, as this helps prevent the cheese from leaking out. White bread is a classic choice, but you can also use sourdough, rye, brioche, whole wheat, or potato bread.
Now, let's talk about butter application. Butter is essential to achieving the desired crispy and golden texture of the sandwich. There are two main methods for applying butter: directly on the bread or in the pan.
If you choose to apply butter to the bread, start by spreading or brushing about 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread. You can also use mayonnaise or a combination of both butter and mayonnaise for a richer flavor. This method ensures that the bread absorbs the butter, resulting in a more intense buttery taste.
On the other hand, some people prefer to melt the butter in the pan before adding the bread. To do this, heat a skillet or pan over medium heat and add about 1 tablespoon of butter. Spread the melted butter evenly across the cooking surface using a brush or spatula. This method creates a layer of liquid butter that gives the bread a crispy coating.
Once the butter is applied, you can assemble the sandwich. Place the slices of bread, buttered side down, in the skillet or on the griddle. Top the bread with shredded or sliced cheese. Cheddar, American, and Gruyere are popular choices, but you can also experiment with other varieties like Fontina, Gouda, or Havarti. Cover the cheese with another slice of bread, with the buttered side facing up.
The next step is to grill the sandwich. If you're using a skillet, preheat it to medium-low heat before placing the sandwich in the pan. Cover the skillet or pan with a lid to help trap the heat and melt the cheese evenly. Grill the sandwich for about 2 to 5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
When the sandwich is done to your liking, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious, buttery grilled cheese sandwich!
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Cheese type and melting properties
When it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches, the cheese is the pivotal element. The best cheeses for grilled cheese should melt smoothly and evenly, creating the perfect gooey and stretchy texture. The ideal cheese should have a great melting point, giving a good cheese pull, as well as the right flavour for the dish.
Cheese selection is important as the melting properties of different cheeses vary. For example, mozzarella is known for its extreme meltability due to the production process of heating and stretching the curds. This process gives mozzarella a kind of "muscle memory" for stretching, and its meltability is comparable to that of pizza cheese. Mozzarella also has a fresh, milky flavour, making it a versatile choice for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Another classic choice is American cheese, which is designed for easy assembly and a high degree of meltability. It also provides a gorgeous cheese pull. However, one source notes that the "deli American" variety has a very milky taste that may not be to everyone's liking.
Other recommended cheeses for grilled cheese sandwiches include mild, melty cheeses like Cheddar, Gruyère, Havarti, Gouda, Brie, Muenster, and Fontina. These cheeses offer a rich, complex flavour and a gooey, stretchy texture. For a more unique flavour, consider using smoked Mozzarella, which has a lot of flavour and is more versatile than most other smoked cheeses.
When selecting a cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich, it is important to consider both meltability and flavour. A blend of cheeses can also be used to create a complex and flavourful sandwich. For example, a blend of mild and melty cheeses can be combined with older, more pungent cheeses to create a rich and gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
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Cooking surface and temperature
The cooking surface and temperature are crucial factors in preparing a grilled cheese sandwich. While the specific cooking surface may vary, the desired outcome is a crispy, golden-brown exterior with a gooey, melted cheese centre.
A non-stick skillet or pan is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is recommended to use a medium-sized skillet, preferably made from cast iron, as it heats more evenly and effectively browns the sandwich. Before adding the sandwich, melt a tablespoon of butter in the skillet over medium heat until it becomes foamy. This ensures the bread is coated in butter, creating a crispy texture. The sandwich is then cooked until golden brown on both sides, with the cheese melted. It is important to adjust the heat as needed, lowering it if the bread is browning too quickly.
Alternatively, a panini press is another option for achieving a crispy, crunchy grilled cheese sandwich. The panini press should be preheated to medium heat, and the sandwich is then placed inside and cooked until lightly browned and the cheese is melted. This method requires minimal attention, as the top of the press does not need to be lifted to check on the sandwich.
For those seeking a low-tech approach, the oven method is a viable alternative. This involves preheating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and using a rimmed baking sheet placed on the middle rack. The sandwich is cooked until the cheese begins to melt, and then flipped to ensure even browning on both sides. This method is particularly suitable when preparing grilled cheese sandwiches for a group of six or fewer people.
In addition to the cooking surface and temperature, the choice of bread and cheese is also essential. Thick-cut bread is often preferred, and it is recommended to spread butter on the pan rather than directly on the bread to create a crispy coating. Regarding cheese, options such as cheddar, American, Gruyere, and Fontina are popular choices, with the key characteristic being their melting ability. Finely grated cheddar is suggested for optimal melting.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for a grilled cheese sandwich depends on the method used to cook it. The skillet method is the most common and foolproof way to cook a grilled cheese sandwich. It involves spreading butter on the bread and cooking the sandwich in a skillet over medium-low heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
The panini press method is another option that requires minimal attention. This method involves spreading butter on the bread and cooking the sandwich in a preheated panini press at medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes. The oven method is suitable for serving a crowd of six or fewer. It involves preheating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and baking the sandwich for about 5 minutes on each side, until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
When using a skillet or panini press, it is important to adjust the heat as needed to prevent the bread from browning too quickly. The skillet should be wiped clean with a paper towel after cooking each sandwich to remove any burnt butter, which can affect the taste of the sandwich.
The choice of bread and cheese can also impact the cooking time. Thick-cut bread and cheese slices that melt easily, such as American, Cheddar, or Mozzarella, are commonly used in restaurants. Grated cheese can also be used to ensure even melting. To add extra flavour, the skillet can be seasoned with salt before adding the butter or cooking spray.
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Frequently asked questions
White bread and American cheese are the most common combination, but you can use any sliced bread such as sourdough, rye, brioche, or French boule. A thicker cut of bread is preferable.
The best cheeses for grilled cheese are those with good melting characteristics such as Cheddar, Gruyere, Raclette, Fontina, Gouda, Mozzarella, or American cheese.
There are several ways to cook grilled cheese, including using a skillet, a panini press, or an oven. When using a skillet, melt butter in the pan, place the sandwich in the skillet, and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
