Patrick Oconnell
There's nothing quite like a grilled cheese sandwich. But if you're looking to elevate this classic comfort food, there are several ways to up your grilled cheese game. From experimenting with different types of cheese to trying out new cooking techniques and adding unexpected ingredients, you can take your grilled cheese to the next level. So, get ready to indulge in some cheesy goodness and discover new favourites!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Artisan bread, dark rye, pumpernickel, walnut bread, olive bread, multigrain sourdough, cinnamon raisin bread, pain au levain, whole grain bread |
| Cheese | Monterrey jack, provolone, Meunster, Havarti, vegan cheese, gouda, mascarpone, cheddar, asiago, fontina, truffled shiitake mushrooms, muenster, goat cheese, brie, white cheddar, Gruyere, feta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Swiss cheese, American cheese |
| Fillings | Caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, spicy peppers, kale, fresh tomato slices, apple slices, ham, marinated onions, olives, bell peppers, capers, spinach, prosciutto, roasted poblano peppers, avocado, banana, dried bananas, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, sun-dried tomato paste, cream cheese, sugar, pepper, pulled barbecue pork, smoked bacon, pepper jack cheese, tomato, broccoli, carrots |
| Cooking technique | Grilling, pan-frying, using a sandwich maker, using a cake pan, grilling outdoors |
| Condiments | Mayonnaise, mustard, butter, apple butter, fresh rosemary leaves, thyme, pesto, grape seed oil, grape must, grape jelly, marmalade, grape jam, grape preserves |
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What You'll Learn
Try different types of cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a delight, but you can always experiment with different types of cheese to elevate your experience. The classic American cheese and cheddar grilled sandwiches are a treat, but there are plenty of other options to try.
For instance, you can try using a combination of various cheese types for delicious experimentation. Try soft to medium-firm cheeses like Monterey Jack, Provolone, Meunster, or Havarti, which melt easily. You can also try mixing different cheeses like Brie, Fontina, Gruyere, and Muenster cheese. If you want to try something unique, use cinnamon raisin bread with French Brie cheese simmered in the center and top it off with marmalade or jelly.
If you are a fan of strong flavors, try sharp cheddar with goat cheese and pesto on multigrain sourdough. You can also try a combination of white cheddar, grain mustard, and grilled onions. For a more indulgent option, try butter, apple butter, fresh rosemary leaves, and Muenster cheese.
There are also several vegan cheese options available for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking to change up their grilled cheese routine. These include alternatives for American, mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, and more.
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Experiment with fillings
There are endless possibilities when it comes to grilled cheese fillings, so don't be afraid to get creative! While cheddar and American cheese are popular choices, you can elevate your grilled cheese by experimenting with different types of cheese. Try using soft to medium-firm cheeses like Monterey jack, provolone, Muenster, or Havarti, which melt easily and create a gooey texture. You can also mix and match various cheeses to create unique flavour combinations.
In addition to cheese, you can incorporate a variety of fillings to take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. Caramelised onions, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and spicy peppers are classic pairings that add depth of flavour and texture. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding fresh tomatoes, kale, or even pizza toppings like pepperoni or olives. For a sweet and savoury combination, include apples, pears, or dried bananas in your sandwich.
Meat lovers can indulge by adding ham, bacon, or even pulled barbecue pork to their grilled cheese. For a vegetarian option, consider using marinated onions, whole-grain mustard, olives, bell peppers, capers, or spinach. If you're feeling indulgent, try adding mascarpone cheese, hazelnut spread, or marshmallow fluff for a sweet and decadent treat.
If you're looking for some gourmet inspiration, try creating a Grilled Two-Cheese Mediterranean Sandwich. Combine feta, olives, capers, lemon peel, and pepper, and spread this mixture on pain au levain, a tangy and dense type of sourdough bread. Add Gruyere cheese and roasted red bell peppers, and top with spinach and the remaining bread slices.
Lastly, don't forget to choose a bread that complements your fillings. While white sandwich bread is a common choice, upgrading to a firm artisan bread like dark rye, pumpernickel, walnut, or olive bread can add more flavour and texture to your grilled cheese creation.
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Use a grill pan or outdoor grill
If you want to take your grilled cheese game to the next level, using a grill pan or outdoor grill can give your sandwich a unique touch. Here are some tips to achieve the perfect grilled cheese using these methods:
First, decide if you want to use a grill pan or an outdoor grill. A cast-iron grill pan can give your sandwich nifty grill marks that you won't get with a regular skillet. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try using your backyard grill or a George Foreman grill.
When using a grill pan, preheat it to medium-high heat. You can butter one side of each slice of bread or, for a slight tangy twist, spread mayonnaise on the bread instead. Place your sandwiches on the grill pan, buttered side down, and cover them. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the undersides are golden brown and the cheese has started to melt. Uncover and turn the sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to flatten them slightly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the undersides are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.
If you're using an outdoor grill, preheat it to medium heat. Similarly, butter one side of each slice of bread or spread mayonnaise. Place your sandwiches on the grill, buttered side down, and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. As with the grill pan method, you may need to press the sandwiches gently with a spatula to help them cook evenly.
When it comes to cheese selection, the key is to choose soft to medium-firm cheeses that will melt easily, such as Monterrey jack, provolone, Muenster, or Havarti. You can also grate firmer cheeses to make them melt more easily. And don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of cheeses to find your perfect blend.
Lastly, don't forget to switch up your bread choices! Try using artisan bread with more body and flavour, such as dark rye, pumpernickel, walnut, or olive bread, to add extra layers of taste to your grilled cheese.
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Switch up the bread
Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish, but there are plenty of ways to switch it up and make it more exciting. If you're looking to elevate your grilled cheese, one of the easiest ways to do so is by switching up the bread.
A simple first step is to opt for a bread with more flavour and texture. A firm artisan bread with a denser crumb will grill up nicely and hold up to the weight of the fillings. Try a sourdough, which has a tangy flavour and a chewy texture, or go for a multigrain loaf for added texture and nuttiness. For a more unusual option, walnut or olive bread will add a savoury, fruity flavour. Dark rye or pumpernickel are also great choices, adding a touch of earthy bitterness to the sandwich.
If you're feeling adventurous, try using a cinnamon raisin bread. The sweetness of the raisins pairs surprisingly well with melted cheese, and you can take it to the next level by using a French brie simmered in the centre, topped off with marmalade or jelly. For a savoury-sweet option, pear and grilled cheese on raisin bread is a winning combination. The sweetness of the cold, crisp pear with the saltiness of the warm, melted cheese is a perfect match.
For a more breakfast-oriented option, cut the centre out of a thick slice of bread and crack an egg into the hole. Fry this in butter until the bread is toasted and the egg is cooked, then add your cheese and any other breakfast toppings you like, such as bacon or shredded hash browns.
Finally, for a truly indulgent option, try using a pain au levain, which is a type of sourdough that is slightly denser and tangier than a conventional loaf. This bread forms the base of a Grilled Two-Cheese Mediterranean Sandwich, which includes feta, olives, capers, lemon peel, pepper, Gruyere, and spinach.
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Add condiments
Condiments can take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. If you're using firmer cheeses, grate them to make them melt more easily. Try mixing and matching different cheeses, such as brie, fontina, and muenster, to create unique flavour combinations. Experiment with sweet and savoury combinations, like cinnamon raisin bread with French brie and marmalade, or pear grilled cheese on raisin bread.
For a tangy twist, spread mayonnaise on the outside of your sandwich instead of butter. If you're vegan or lactose intolerant, there are also dairy-free cheese alternatives available, such as vegan mayonnaise, which can add a unique flavour to your sandwich. You can also try adding a cheese paste to help those aged cheeses melt more smoothly.
For a breakfast option, cut out the centre of your bread and cook an egg inside, then add cheese and breakfast toppings like bacon or shredded hash browns. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding unique ingredients like bananas, dried bananas, hazelnut spread, mascarpone cheese, or marshmallow fluff.
Load up on fillings that pair well with cheese. Try caramelised onions, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, spicy peppers, kale, or fresh tomato slices. You can also add condiments like whole-grain mustard, pesto, or apple butter to enhance the flavour of your sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
To make the perfect grilled cheese, you should use medium-low heat so that the outside doesn't scorch before the cheese has melted. You can also try using a cake pan to press down on the sandwich and create an extra-crisp crust. If you want grill marks on your sandwich, use a cast-iron grill pan or an outdoor grill.
You can experiment with different types of cheese, or add fillings like caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, spicy peppers, kale, fresh tomato slices, or anything you might put on a pizza. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try adding bananas, dried bananas, hazelnut spread, marshmallow fluff, or even tomato soup.
You can use any type of bread with more body and flavor, such as artisan bread, dark rye, pumpernickel, walnut bread, or olive bread. If you want to get creative, you could try cinnamon raisin bread, multigrain sourdough, or pain au levain.
