The Perfect Grilled Cheese: Heating Time Revealed

Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food, but getting that perfect combination of crispy, golden-brown bread and melted cheese can be a challenge. The key is to cook the sandwich slowly over medium heat, giving the cheese time to melt without burning the bread. While the type of bread and cheese you use is a matter of personal preference, it's important to avoid over-buttering your bread and to spread your butter or mayonnaise to the edges.

Use a skillet on medium heat

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food and a great, simple meal to make at home. Here is a guide to making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich using a skillet on medium heat.

First, you will need to gather your ingredients and equipment. For a grilled cheese sandwich, you will need bread, butter, and cheese. It is recommended to use a mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, or American cheese. Bread-wise, sliced white or sourdough are good options. You will also need a skillet or griddle pan, a spatula or pancake turner, and a butter knife.

Once you have your ingredients and equipment, you can begin preparing your sandwich. Start by heating your skillet or griddle to medium heat. While the pan is heating up, you can prepare your sandwich. Take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice. Place your cheese on one slice of bread, on the unbuttered side, and then top with the other slice, butter-side up.

When your skillet is hot, carefully place your sandwich in the pan. You will know it is hot enough when you can hear a sizzling sound or see the butter melting. Cook the sandwich until the cheese starts to melt and the bread is golden brown. This should take around 3-5 minutes. You can lift up the sandwich with your spatula to check if the bread is browning evenly.

Once the first side is golden, carefully flip the sandwich using your spatula. Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted. You will know the cheese is ready when it looks dark and oily, and then it will suddenly turn very light. You can also lift up the top slice of bread to check if the cheese is melted through.

And that's it! You can cut your sandwich diagonally and serve it with a bowl of creamy tomato or roasted red pepper soup for a delicious, comforting meal. Enjoy!

Cook for 2-4 minutes on each side

Cooking a grilled cheese sandwich for 2-4 minutes on each side is a fool-proof, low-tech method that can be done in a skillet. It's important to note that the heat should be set to medium or medium-low to avoid burning the bread before the cheese is melted. This method ensures that the sandwich gets lightly browned and that the cheese is melted.

To achieve the perfect grilled cheese, it's crucial to start with good-quality bread. Freshly baked loaves from a local bakery or grocery store are ideal, and for an extra flavour kick, rosemary or garlic herb varieties can be used. When it comes to cheese, mild, creamy varieties like Havarti, Gouda, or young cheddar are best for achieving melty perfection. It's also a good idea to shred the cheese to ensure even melting.

Before cooking, the bread should be buttered on the outsides, with around 1/2 tablespoon per slice, to achieve a crisp, golden-brown crust. Then, the sandwich is placed in the preheated skillet, with the buttered side of the bread facing down. After cooking for 2-4 minutes, the sandwich is carefully flipped using a spatula, and the other side is cooked for the same amount of time.

It's important to keep a close eye on the sandwich while it's cooking, as the second side may cook faster than the first. Additionally, the heat should be adjusted as needed to ensure even browning and melting. Once the sandwich is golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted, it's ready to be served.

Use melting cheese

The cheese you use in your grilled cheese sandwich is important. Some cheeses are meltier than others. The "sharper" the cheese, the harder it is to melt. So, when making grilled cheese, it's best to stick to milder cheeses. Good choices include mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, American (the good-quality stuff from the deli counter, not the processed slices), and Muenster. Swiss cheese can also work, but it's a bit hit or miss, so it's worth spending a little more to get the good stuff.

If you want to get fancy, you can combine two or more cheeses. For example, you could pair cheddar with a smoother-melting cheese like Comte, Gruyere, or Fontina. Or, for a classic French croque monsieur, try Gruyere with caramelized onions, mustard, sliced pears, ham, and sautéed mushrooms.

When preparing your grilled cheese, it's best to avoid pre-shredded or pre-sliced cheese, as these are often coated in a non-stick powder that can affect the way they melt. Instead, shred or slice your cheese yourself as needed.

Spread butter to the edges of the bread

When making a grilled cheese sandwich, it is important to spread butter to the edges of the bread. This ensures that the entire surface of the bread is coated, preventing the sandwich from becoming soggy. Soggy grilled cheese sandwiches are a common problem, and spreading butter to the edges of the bread is one way to avoid this issue.

There are a few different techniques for spreading butter on the bread for a grilled cheese sandwich. One method is to spread softened butter directly onto the bread with a knife, ensuring that it reaches the edges. Another technique is to melt butter in the pan first and then place the bread in the pan, using a circular motion to spread the butter as the bread cooks. This method can be messier and requires more skill to execute correctly, as it is easy to misjudge the heat and end up with a soggy sandwich.

Some people prefer to use mayonnaise instead of butter on the outside of the bread, as it can create a crispier crust. Others use a combination of butter and mayonnaise, spreading mayonnaise on the inside of the bread and butter on the outside, or mixing the two together and spreading the blend on the outside of the sandwich.

When making a grilled cheese sandwich, it is also important to consider the type of bread and cheese used. For a traditional grilled cheese, sliced white or sourdough bread is typically used, although some people prefer thicker slices or more dense bread. The type of cheese is also a matter of preference, with milder cheeses like mild or medium cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, Havarti, mozzarella, and American cheese often used.

Use bread with a tight crumb

When making a grilled cheese sandwich, the bread you use is important. The bread has to be sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese, take on a great sear in the pan, and bring its own flavour to the party. A good-quality, tight-crumb loaf, like Italian bread, is ideal for preventing the cheese from leaking out.

A tight-crumbed bread, such as Italian or whole-grain bread, has a denser crumb, which makes it easier to spread with butter or mayonnaise. This means that the melted cheese won't drip through. It also means that the bread will get nicely golden as it sears in the pan.

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bread with a Tight Crumb

To make a grilled cheese sandwich with bread with a tight crumb, you'll need:

• Two slices of good-quality, tight-crumbed bread, such as Italian or whole-grain bread
• 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter or mayonnaise
• Two slices of medium or sharp cheddar cheese (about 2 oz)
• 1 oz (1/2 cup) shredded Gruyère cheese

First, using a butter knife, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise or softened butter on one side of each bread slice, ensuring full coverage up to the edges. Make sure the slices are the same size and aligned so that when assembled, the shapes match up perfectly.

Next, preheat a non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Once heated, place one slice of bread in the skillet, mayo/butter side down. Then, layer the two slices of cheddar cheese onto the bread, ensuring even coverage. You may need to tear the cheese for even coverage, depending on the shape of the bread. Evenly sprinkle the shredded Gruyère over the cheddar.

Place the second slice of bread on top, mayo/butter side up. Cook the sandwich for 3 to 4 minutes on one side, or until it's golden brown and crispy. Using a spatula, carefully flip the sandwich over and cook the other side for another few minutes, or until it's also golden brown and the cheese inside has melted.

Finally, remove the grilled cheese from the skillet and place it onto a cutting board. Let it sit for a minute, then cut the sandwich in half using a sharp knife. Serve immediately while it's still warm.

Variations

You can also try using seeded rye bread, which pairs beautifully with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese for a sweet and nutty flavour. Or, for a delicious contrast in textures, combine creamy Brie with thin slices of tart green apple and a sprinkle of fresh thyme on hearty white bread or whole-grain bread.

Frequently asked questions