Bushra Griffith
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a delicious and simple meal that can be made with just a few staple ingredients. The key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is getting the bread toasted and crispy while ensuring the cheese is melted. This can be achieved by spreading butter on the bread, using a non-stick pan, and keeping a close eye on the sandwich as it cooks. While the type of bread and cheese used can be varied according to preference, it is important to ensure the bread is sturdy enough to handle the heat and that the cheese melts well.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bread
Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its tangy flavour, which pairs well with rich, melted cheese. It also adds a nice crispness to the sandwich. If you prefer a more traditional option, plain white sandwich bread will do the trick. For a softer, richer option, brioche is a good choice. Ciabatta is another option for a more rustic, chewy texture.
It's important to ensure that the bread is sturdy enough to handle the heat and that it's sliced thinly enough to cook through without burning. Delicate, thinly sliced breads will likely fall apart.
If you're making grilled cheese sandwiches, it's also a good idea to butter the bread before placing it in the pan. This will give it a beautiful golden colour and a crispy texture. You can also try spreading mayonnaise on the bread before grilling for added crispness and a subtle tang.
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Butter, oil, or mayo?
Butter is the traditional choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is slathered on the outside of the sandwich, giving the bread a golden-brown crust. However, butter burns quickly and can result in an unevenly toasted sandwich. It also needs to be softened at room temperature before use, which can be time-consuming.
Mayonnaise, on the other hand, is a more recent alternative that has gained popularity. Made from oil and acid, it has a higher smoke point than butter, which means it can withstand higher temperatures without burning. This makes it ideal for achieving an even, golden-brown crust without worrying about burning the bread. Mayonnaise is also more convenient than butter as it is already soft and spreadable straight from the fridge. It adds a tangy flavour to the sandwich, although some may find it overpowering.
Combining the two spreads is also an option. Spreading a mixture of equal parts mayo and softened butter on the sandwich's exterior gives a nice crispness without the risk of burning butter solids.
Oil, such as olive oil, is another option for grilling cheese sandwiches. It can be heated in the pan before placing the sandwich, preventing the bread from sticking and helping to achieve a crispy texture.
In conclusion, while butter is the traditional choice, mayonnaise and oil offer some advantages in terms of convenience, even browning, and a higher smoke point. The choice of spread ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired flavour and texture of the grilled cheese sandwich.
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The best cheese for melting
When making a cheese sandwich, it's important to choose a cheese that melts well. Fat helps cheese melt, so fatty cheeses like Leicester and Gouda tend to melt better. Young cheeses also tend to melt better than older ones, which can become grainy. For example, young American cheese melts better than aged cheddar.
Some of the best cheeses for melting include:
- Mozzarella: This cheese is known for its stretchy, cohesive melt due to its perfect pH level.
- Gruyère: This cheese has a French bistro flavour and is ideal for dishes like French onion soup.
- Fontina: Fontina has a buttery, nutty flavour that makes it great for pasta dishes and sauces.
- Provolone: This cheese has a tangy flavour that's perfect for cheesesteaks and baked dishes.
- Smoked Gouda: Gouda brings a complex flavour to cheesy potatoes and gourmet grilled cheese.
When melting cheese, it's important to grate it first and let it sit out for 20-30 minutes for smoother melting. Keep the heat low and steady, and stir often to prevent sticking.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are typically made with buttered bread and sliced cheese, cooked in a pan or on a stove until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
Grilled cheese sandwiches can be made with a variety of breads, such as plain white sandwich bread, sourdough, brioche, or ciabatta. It's important to choose a sturdy loaf that can handle the heat.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are often served with tomato-based soups, such as tomato soup or fresh tomato soup, and can be paired with other ingredients such as turkey breast or Parmesan cheese.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food that can be easily made at home with a few simple ingredients.
Overall, the best cheeses for melting are those that are young, fatty, and have low acidity, such as mozzarella, Gruyère, Fontina, and American cheese.
These cheeses will provide a smooth, stretchy melt that is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches and other dishes.
By understanding the science behind melting cheese and choosing the right variety for your dish, you can take your grilled cheese game to the next level.
Get creative, experiment with different cheeses, and enjoy the ultimate comfort food!
Happy grilling!
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Grated, sliced, or shredded?
When making a cheese sandwich, you can use grated, sliced, or shredded cheese. However, there are some key differences between these options that may impact your decision.
Sliced cheese is a convenient option as it is easy to place between the slices of bread. It melts reasonably well, although not as effectively as shredded cheese. Sliced cheese is a good choice if you want a quick and easy option that still provides a decent melt.
Shredded cheese, on the other hand, provides a superior melt that is smoother, more even, and softer. This is because shredded cheese has more surface area than sliced cheese, allowing it to melt more easily and creating a smoother texture. If you want a truly melty sandwich, shredded cheese is the way to go. You can shred the cheese yourself using a standard box grater or a food processor, which ensures that your cheese will melt well and gives you more control over the size and thickness of the shreds.
Grated cheese is another option, but it may not be ideal for a grilled cheese sandwich. Finely grated cheese, such as Parmesan, may not melt as well in a sandwich due to its smaller particle size. However, coarser grated cheese may work better and provide a unique texture.
Ultimately, the decision between grated, sliced, or shredded cheese comes down to personal preference and the specific characteristics you want in your cheese sandwich. Sliced cheese is convenient and melts well, shredded cheese provides an excellent melt, and grated cheese can add a unique texture to your sandwich. Experiment with different options and find the one that suits your taste and preferences the best!
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To grill or to toast?
There are a few different ways to cook a cheese sandwich, and the best method depends on the equipment you have available and the type of bread and cheese you are using.
Grilling
To grill a cheese sandwich, you will need a skillet or frying pan. First, butter your bread—softened butter is best for even coverage—and place it butter-side down in the pan. Then, add your cheese and top with another slice of bread, butter-side up. Some recipes suggest spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread, which will help it to crisp up. You can also add mustard to the inside of the sandwich for a tangy flavour.
Once your sandwich is assembled, cook it in the pan over medium heat until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown. Then, flip the sandwich and cook until the other side is also golden and the cheese is melted. It is important to keep an eye on your sandwich while it cooks, as the heat may need to be adjusted to prevent the bread from burning.
Toasting
If you have a toaster, you can simply toast your bread and then assemble your sandwich. This method is best for softer cheeses that do not need to be melted, such as Brie. You can also make a toasted cheese sandwich in the microwave. Lightly toast your bread, butter it on both sides, add cheese, and then microwave until the cheese starts to melt.
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Frequently asked questions
Any type of reasonably thinly sliced sandwich bread will do. However, some prefer sourdough for the tang it adds to the sandwich. You could also use white bread, brioche, or ciabatta.
You can use any type of cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack. Shredded cheese melts quicker and more evenly than sliced, so consider grating your cheese.
You'll need butter or mayonnaise. You can also add condiments such as Dijon mustard.
Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Layer the cheese on one slice, then place the other slice on top, butter or mayonnaise side up. Cook in a non-stick pan over medium heat for 2-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
