Patrick Oconnell
There's nothing worse than a soggy grilled cheese sandwich. To keep your grilled cheese crispy, you must let it cool down before placing it in your lunch box. You can also try wrapping it in foil, placing it in a thermos, or slicing it into sticks. Choosing the right cheese is also important—soft cheeses like mozzarella won't give you that chewy texture, so it's best to stick to harder cheeses like Colby or provolone. Additionally, you can pack some tomato soup or raw veggies to make your lunch more nutritious and tasty.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Filling | Ham & cheese, turkey & avocado, PB&J, mushroom, Nutella, cheese and tomato, mac & cheese, tuna melt, apple and cheddar, jalapeño, and more |
| Cheese | Colby, provolone, Muenster, Monterey Jack, and blue cheese |
| Bread | Evenly golden brown, lightly buttered, and crisp |
| Cooking | Cook slowly to allow cheese to melt and bread to toast simultaneously |
| Cooling | Allow to cool to room temperature before placing in a lunch box to prevent condensation |
| Packing | Wrap in foil, place in a thermos, or pack in a zip bag to keep warm |
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What You'll Learn
Let the sandwich cool before placing it in a lunch box
Allowing your grilled cheese sandwich to cool before placing it in a lunch box is an important step to prevent condensation (moisture) from building up inside the lunch box. This is because condensation builds up underneath the sandwich when it is placed in a lunch box straight after cooking, undoing all your hard work and resulting in a sandwich that may look crunchy on top but is moist, limp, and soggy on the bottom. By letting the sandwich cool down, you give the steam a chance to escape without creating a steamy underside.
To cool your sandwich, place it on a cutting board or plate and let it cool to room temperature for about 5 minutes. You can also elevate the sandwich to allow air to circulate around it—for example, by placing it on a wire rack or using your roommate's trick of propping it up with two chopsticks. This will help the steam escape and prevent a soggy sandwich.
Once the sandwich is no longer hot, it is ready to be placed in your lunch box. If you want to keep it warm, you can place it in a thermos, but make sure to dry the thermos thoroughly first.
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Use a thermos to retain warmth
Keeping grilled cheese crispy and warm in a lunch box can be challenging, but a thermos can be a great solution. Here's how to use a thermos to retain warmth and crispiness:
Firstly, choose the right thermos. Select a thermos container that is designed to keep food warm for extended periods. Look for one with good insulation and a tight-fitting lid to prevent heat escape. Ensure it is clean and dry before use.
Next, prepare your grilled cheese sandwich. Assemble your sandwich with your desired fillings, such as ham and cheese, turkey and avocado, or grilled chicken strips and cheese. Lightly butter or spray both sides of the sandwich before grilling it in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Now, let the sandwich cool. This step is crucial to prevent condensation from forming inside the lunch box. Allow the grilled cheese to cool to room temperature before placing it in the thermos. This helps to prevent moisture buildup, keeping your sandwich crispy.
Once the sandwich has cooled, wrap it in foil to retain warmth and prevent sogginess. You can also try wrapping it in a paper towel first and then in foil, as suggested by some sources. This extra layer may help absorb any excess moisture.
Finally, place the wrapped sandwich in the thermos. Make sure the thermos is completely dry, then put the wrapped sandwich inside, ensuring it fits snugly. Close the lid tightly to maintain warmth. If desired, you can also warm the thermos beforehand with hot water to extend the heat retention.
By following these steps, you can use a thermos to keep your grilled cheese sandwich warm and crispy until lunchtime. Enjoy your delicious and crispy grilled cheese!
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Choose the right type of cheese
The cheese is the star component of any grilled cheese sandwich, and while it doesn't directly affect crispiness, it does enhance the flavour.
Classic choices for grilled cheese are cheddar, American, and Swiss, due to their melting properties. Cheddar is also a good choice for those with lactose intolerance, as it has lower levels of lactose. Other harder cheeses with lower lactose levels include parmesan and gouda.
If you're looking for a healthier option, ricotta and cottage cheese are relatively low in fat and calories. For a sandwich with a kick, try Pepper Jack, a variety of Monterey Jack flavoured with peppers and other vegetables and spices. For a simple, versatile option, mozzarella is a crowd-pleaser with its milky flavour and gooey texture.
For a more exotic option, paneer is a fresh cheese often used in South Asian cuisine. It is moist and soft with a crumbly texture.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try a mix of two or more types of cheese, such as a Swiss and cheddar blend.
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Wrap the sandwich in foil
Wrapping your grilled cheese sandwich in foil is a great way to preserve its warmth and crispiness. This method is especially useful if you don't have a thermos flask.
To do this, let the sandwich cool down to room temperature before wrapping it in foil. This is an important step to prevent condensation from building up inside your lunch box, which can make your sandwich soggy. You can also elevate the sandwich while it cools by placing it on a wire rack or using chopsticks underneath it to allow air to circulate and prevent a steamy underside.
If you're grilling a sandwich with cheese that's suitable for wrapping in foil, like Brie, place the cheese and sandwich inside the foil before grilling. This will allow the cheese to melt inside the foil and prevent it from sticking to the sandwich press or pan.
Using foil can help retain the warmth of your sandwich, but it may not stay as warm as if it were placed in a thermos. If you want to include some soup to dip your sandwich in, a thermos is a great way to keep it hot.
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Avoid condensation by letting the sandwich rest in an elevated position
When preparing a grilled cheese sandwich, it's important to let it cool down before placing it in a lunch box. This is to prevent condensation (moisture) from building up inside the lunch box, which can make the sandwich soggy. To avoid condensation, let the sandwich rest in an elevated position for a few minutes before slicing into it. This can be done by setting the sandwich on a wire rack or using a setup that allows air to circulate, such as placing two chopsticks underneath it. Elevating the sandwich allows steam to escape, preventing the underside from becoming soggy while also giving the cheese a chance to cool down and firm up slightly. This method ensures that the sandwich retains its crispiness and that the cheese doesn't ooze out too quickly when bitten into.
In addition to preventing condensation, there are other ways to keep a grilled cheese sandwich crispy in a lunch box. One way is to use a thermos. First, fill the thermos with hot water to warm up the interior. Then, let the sandwich cool down to a warm but no longer hot temperature before placing it inside. This will keep the sandwich warm for several hours. You can also try wrapping the sandwich in foil to retain heat and protect it from the lunch box environment.
If you're looking to add some nutrition and variety to your lunch, consider packing some raw baby carrots, avocado, or pickles as sides. For a heartier meal, pair your grilled cheese with a soup, such as tomato, golden bell pepper, or veggie enchilada soup. These soups can be enjoyed at room temperature or cold, making them a convenient option for a packed lunch.
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Frequently asked questions
To keep grilled cheese crispy, let the sandwich cool down before placing it in a lunch box to prevent condensation from building up. If you want to keep the sandwich warm, use a thermos. Fill the thermos with hot water and set it aside. Once the sandwich has cooled down a bit, slice it into sticks and place them inside the thermos.
Let the sandwich cool down for about 5 minutes. It should be at room temperature and no longer hot.
Stick to harder cheeses like Colby, provolone, Muester, Monterey Jack, or blue cheese. Softer cheeses like mozzarella are less suitable as they do not provide the desired chewy texture.
Wrap the grilled cheese sandwich in foil, place it in a clean, dry thermos, or put it in a zip bag. If you want to include a side, pack some tomato soup in a separate thermos.
Put some raw baby carrots or avocado in the lunch box, or accompany your grilled cheese sandwich with pickles.
