Bushra Griffith
Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Setting up a grilled cheese bar is a fun and interactive way to offer a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches to your guests. It can be a unique and engaging activity for a party or a simple solution for a weeknight dinner. Here's how you can create your own grilled cheese bar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, white, Italian, multi-grain, challah, ciabatta, rye, whole wheat, levain, walnut bread, English muffins, bagels, cinnamon raisin, pita, crusty French, potato bread, Martin's Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread |
| Cheese | Gruyère, cheddar, Fontina, Swiss, American, mozzarella, Havarti, provolone, pepper jack, Colby, parmesan, gouda, feta |
| Toppings | Bacon, prosciutto, arugula, tomato, avocado, red bell pepper, turkey, spinach, mushrooms, greens, pineapple, apples, olives, fresh spinach, dried oregano, red onion, caramelized onions, jalapeño, cilantro, sage, deli meat, vegetables |
| Condiments | Butter, mayonnaise, olive oil, mustard, jam, apple butter, marinara sauce, pesto |
| Equipment | Skillet, waffle iron, panini press, toothpicks |
| Drinks | Bloody Mary, wine |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choose your cheeses
When it comes to setting up a grilled cheese bar, the cheese is the star of the show. The type of cheese you choose will depend on your personal preference, the availability of ingredients, and the number of guests you are serving.
For a classic grilled cheese, opt for cheeses that melt easily, such as Gruyère, cheddar, Fontina, or mozzarella. These cheeses have a high fat content, which allows them to melt smoothly and gives your grilled cheese that irresistible gooey factor. If you want to take your grilled cheese bar to the next level, consider offering a variety of cheeses with different flavours and textures. Some options include Swiss, American, Havarti, Provolone, Pepper Jack, Colby, gouda, parmesan, and feta.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even create themed grilled cheese bars by pairing cheeses with complementary ingredients. For example, you could offer a Mediterranean-inspired option with mozzarella, feta, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, spinach, and oregano. Or, for a more indulgent option, combine mozzarella and parmesan with pepperoni and marinara sauce for a pizza-themed grilled cheese.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese and encourage your guests to get creative with their combinations. After all, the beauty of a grilled cheese bar is that it allows everyone to customize their sandwich to their own tastes.
To ensure you have enough cheese, a good rule of thumb is to plan for about 2-3 slices of cheese per sandwich, or more if you're offering a variety of cheeses. It's always better to have too much than to run out, especially if you're serving a large group.
Grilled Cheese for Babies: A Safe, Tasty Treat
You may want to see also
Select your bread
When setting up a grilled cheese bar, the bread you select is important. The type of bread you choose can make or break your sandwich. You want to ensure the slices are not too thick (as the cheese might not melt), too thin or too soft (as the bread will get squished by the cheese), or too holey (creating cheese escape routes).
As a general rule of thumb, plan for one loaf of bread per four people. If you are making sandwiches for six people, two loaves of bread should be enough. If you have a small group and know your guests' preferences, you can offer a variety of breads. If you are catering to a larger group with diverse tastes, it may be better to stick to a few crowd-pleasing options.
Some popular bread options for grilled cheese sandwiches include sourdough, white or Italian, multi-grain, challah, and ciabatta. Sourdough is a favourite for many grilled cheese enthusiasts, as it adds a tangy flavour to the sandwich. If you are a grilled cheese purist or prefer a simpler option, regular white bread will also work well.
You can also offer different types of bread to elevate your grilled cheese bar, such as rye, brioche, or whole grain bread with seeds and nuts. These options can add a unique texture and flavour to the sandwich.
Remember, the key is to choose bread that will complement the cheese and other ingredients, creating a harmonious flavour profile.
The Perfect Grilling Cheese Platter: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Prepare the toppings
Preparing the toppings for a grilled cheese bar is a fun and creative process where you can offer a variety of options to your guests. Here are some ideas and suggestions to get you started:
Firstly, decide on the types of cheese you want to include. It's a good idea to choose cheeses that melt easily, such as Gruyère, cheddar, Fontina, mozzarella, Swiss, American, or a combination of cheeses. You can also offer different types of bread, such as rye, white, sourdough, whole wheat, or even bagels or English muffins.
Now, let's move on to the toppings. You can prepare caramelized onions by slicing an onion, sautéing it in olive oil until browned, adding vinegar, sugar, and salt, and cooking until dry. You could also offer toppings like sautéed mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, avocado, peppers (such as jalapeños), greens (such as arugula or spinach), or even thin slices of apple. If you want to get creative, you could include options like crumbled feta, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, pesto, or even deli meats like prosciutto or bacon.
To add some extra flavour, you can provide different spreads and condiments, such as mustard, mayonnaise, or apple butter. Don't forget to put out some butter or olive oil for grilling the sandwiches. You can also offer a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, dried oregano, or even a jar of harissa for those who like a kick.
With these toppings and more, your guests can create their own unique grilled cheese sandwiches. Remember to arrange the toppings attractively, perhaps fanning them out on a large board or platter, and always think about including a variety of sweet and savoury options to cater to different tastes.
Explore related products
Get creative with condiments
When it comes to condiments, the options are endless. You can go for a variety of sweet and savoury options to satisfy everyone's taste buds. For a tangy kick, offer an assortment of mustards, such as Dijon, and pickles on the side. If you want to add a spicy twist, include some jalapeños or harissa. You could also provide a selection of spreads, such as apple butter or mayonnaise, which can be used as a "toasting" agent instead of butter.
For those who enjoy a sweeter grilled cheese, thin slices of crisp apple can be paired with creamy, nutty cheeses like Gruyère, or even a schmear of peanut butter. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try something unique like raspberry jam? For a more indulgent option, offer a side of salted butter for guests to spread on their bread before grilling.
Don't be afraid to mix and match different condiments and spreads to create unique flavour combinations. The beauty of a grilled cheese bar is that everyone can customise their sandwich to their liking, so provide a variety of options and let your guests get creative!
Pair with a drink
When it comes to drinks, a tangy Bloody Mary is a classic pairing with grilled cheese. You can make two variations and have them ready at the end of the grilled cheese bar. For an extra punch, you can even make homemade infused vodka with your favourite fruits or vegetables.
For a non-alcoholic option, a generous salad or veggie side can complement the grilled cheese bar. You can also offer a variety of pickles and mustards to go with the sandwiches.
If you want to stick to the basics, a bottle of wine can be a good option to go with the grilled cheese.
For a fun and interactive meal, you can also allow your guests to build their own sandwiches with their choice of ingredients. This way, they can customise their dish according to their preferences.
Frequently asked questions
You will need bread, cheese, and toppings. For the bread, consider sliced whole wheat, levain, walnut bread, English muffins, German rye, bagels, cinnamon raisin, pita, crusty French, white, Italian, sourdough, multi-grain, challah, or ciabatta. For the cheese, try cheddar, Swiss, American, mozzarella, Gruyère, Fontina, Havarti, provolone, pepper jack, Colby, gouda, parmesan, or feta. For the toppings, you can include bacon, deli meat, vegetables (tomato, avocado, pepper, greens), apples, pineapple, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, olives, oregano, pesto, or mustard.
As a general rule of thumb, plan for one loaf of bread per 4 people. For the cheese, put out as many varieties as you like. The more toppings you add, the more cheese you will need to help hold it all together.
You will need a griddle, skillet, or panini press for cooking the sandwiches. You may also want to provide a waffle iron for a fun twist on the classic grilled cheese.
Place the ingredients on a counter or table in a buffet-style arrangement. Put the prepared cheeses, spreads, greens, seasonings, and Jammy Onions in small bowls and place them in the center of a large board. Add the bacon and other toppings around the edge of the board. Serve the bread on the side, along with salted butter for cooking. Provide a pan or press for guests to grill their own sandwiches.
