Frederic Melton
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food that can be made in a frying pan on the stove. They are easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. The key to a great grilled cheese is achieving a crispy, golden exterior with a gooey, melted cheese centre. The bread-to-cheese ratio is important, and the type of bread and cheese used can be tailored to personal preference. The pan should be hot enough to achieve the perfect grilled cheese, and butter or mayonnaise can be used to enhance the flavour and texture.
How to cook grilled cheese in a frying pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | White, sourdough, or any bread of your choice |
| Cheese | Cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, Gruyère, American cheese, or any cheese of your choice |
| Fat | Butter, mayonnaise, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil |
| Temperature | Medium-low heat |
| Cooking time | 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted |
| Instructions | 1. Spread fat on one side of each slice of bread. 2. Place the slices of cheese on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread. 3. Place the other slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up. 4. Put the sandwich in a preheated pan. 5. Cook until the bottom slice is golden brown, then flip. 6. Continue cooking until the other side is golden brown and the cheese has melted. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bread and cheese
When it comes to choosing the right bread and cheese for your grilled cheese sandwich, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the bread should be sliced, not too thick, thin, or soft, and without large holes that can cause the cheese to leak out. Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its tang and sturdiness, but you can also use regular white bread, brioche, or ciabatta.
For the cheese, a combination of two types of cheese is recommended for the best flavour and texture. Mozzarella is a popular choice for its stretchy, non-greasy melting qualities, but it has a mild flavour, so it is often paired with a stronger cheese like vintage cheddar or gruyere. Other good melting cheeses include American cheese, Swiss, havarti, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack. If you want a sharper flavour, you can use sharp cheddar, which has a nutty taste and melts well.
When preparing the bread, you can butter both sides of the bread or just one side, depending on your preference. Some people also like to spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread, as it helps the sandwich brown and adds a rich flavour. You can also try adding dijon mustard to the inside of the sandwich for a tangy flavour.
Once you've chosen your bread and cheese, assemble your sandwich and cook it in a skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. For an extra gooey sandwich, remove the pan from the heat, add a small amount of water, cover with a lid, and let the steam melt the cheese further.
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How to get the perfect bread-to-cheese ratio
The perfect bread-to-cheese ratio for a grilled cheese sandwich is subjective and depends on your taste preferences. However, a commonly suggested ratio is 2:2, where two slices of bread are paired with two slices of cheese. This ratio ensures that the sandwich has an equal amount of bread and cheese, creating a balanced bite with every mouthful.
To achieve this ratio, start by laying out your bread slices on a cutting board. Place one slice of cheese on top of each slice of bread. You can trim the cheese to fit the bread or let it hang over the edges for a more indulgent, cheese-forward sandwich. If you're feeling extra cheesy, sprinkle a little garlic powder or black pepper on the cheese.
For the classic grilled cheese flavour, opt for mild or sharp cheddar cheese. However, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella, Swiss cheese, Gruyère, or American cheese. You can even mix and match cheeses to create your desired flavour profile. For instance, you could use mozzarella for stretch and another cheese for flavour.
Once you've assembled the sandwiches, it's time to butter them. Spread a thin layer of butter or mayonnaise on the top side of each sandwich. This will give your sandwich a golden, crispy crust and enhance its flavour. If you're health-conscious, you can use olive oil or other neutral-tasting oils instead.
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Butter, oil, or mayonnaise?
When making a grilled cheese sandwich, you can use butter, oil, or mayonnaise. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Butter
Butter is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its creamy, decadent, and lightly sweet flavor. When cooked, the milk solids in butter transform into brown butter, adding a nutty, toasty flavor. However, butter is a solid fat that can be extremely firm straight out of the fridge, so it needs to be softened before use. It also has a low smoke point and tends to burn quickly, which can result in overcooked bread.
Oil
Oil, such as olive oil, can be used as an alternative to butter. It has a higher smoke point than butter, which means it is less likely to burn. Combining olive oil with butter can provide a good balance of flavors and richness. However, olive oil is not as commonly used for grilled cheese sandwiches as butter or mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and egg, providing enough fat to crisp the surface of the sandwich. It has a higher smoke point than butter and can quicken the cooking process. Mayonnaise also has a light, tangy flavor that complements the cheese and bread without overpowering them. However, some people may be hesitant to use mayonnaise in a grilled cheese sandwich due to personal preferences or traditional recipes.
Combination of Butter and Mayonnaise
Combining butter and mayonnaise is another option that can provide the best of both worlds. This combination can result in a crispy, browned sandwich without burning. However, it may be more time-consuming as it requires softening the butter and stirring it into the mayonnaise.
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How to prepare the pan
To prepare the pan for a grilled cheese sandwich, you will need a skillet or a non-stick frying pan. It is important to ensure that your pan is clean before you start.
Next, you will need to decide on the heat source. If you are using an electric stove, set the temperature to 40% heat. For a gas stove, set the temperature to around 25% heat.
Now, place your chosen pan on the heat source and let it warm up. The amount of time required for this step will depend on the heat source and stove you are using, but it should take around four minutes for the pan to warm up sufficiently.
Once your pan is warm, you can turn up the heat slightly to medium-high. If you are using butter, this temperature will ensure that the bread becomes golden brown and crispy without burning. However, if you are using mayonnaise, you will need to lower the temperature slightly to prevent burning.
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How long to cook for
The cooking time for a grilled cheese sandwich in a frying pan depends on your preferred level of doneness and the type of bread and cheese you use. It is important to ensure that your pan is hot enough before adding the sandwich, as this will help create a crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
For a simple grilled cheese sandwich, it is recommended to cook each side for 2-4 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. This timing may vary depending on the heat source and the type of pan used. If using an electric stove, set the heat to 40%; for a gas stove, use 25% heat. If your pan is non-stick, you may not need to add any butter or oil, but if it is a regular pan, you will need to grease the surface to prevent sticking and encourage browning.
If you prefer your grilled cheese extra gooey, there is a trick you can try: after removing the sandwich from the heat, add a small amount of water to the pan and quickly cover it with a lid. The steam will help melt the cheese even further.
To achieve a consistent crispy texture and fully melted cheese, you can also try toasting the greased bread slices before assembling the sandwich. This can be done in a toaster, or in the pan itself. If toasting in the pan, place the bread slices over medium-low heat for about a minute, or until lightly toasted.
If you are using mayonnaise instead of butter, you may need to lower the heat to prevent burning.
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