Andy Montoya
The grilled cheese sandwich is a classic American dish, with many variations. The basic recipe calls for sliced cheese and buttered bread cooked in a skillet, griddle, or pan. The perfect grilled cheese sandwich should be crispy, salty, and buttery on the outside, with molten, gooey cheese on the inside. While the type of bread and cheese used can be changed to suit personal preference, the cheese must have the right melting characteristics. The grilled cheese sandwich is often served with tomato soup, and can be adapted with additional ingredients such as fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and meats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Unknown, but became popular in the US during the Great Depression and World War II |
| Common toppings/fillings | Cheddar, gouda, swiss, havarti, peppers, tomatoes, onions, diced pickles, pineapple, bacon, and eggs |
| Bread | Sliced bread |
| Type of cheese | American cheese, cheddar |
| Cooking method | Pan-fried, sandwich toaster |
| Alternative names | Cheese toastie (UK), jaffle (AU) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Grilled cheese is a staple in the US
The standard way to make a grilled cheese sandwich in the US involves using a skillet or pan to heat the bread and cheese. While the sandwich is typically not actually grilled, the term "grilled cheese" has stuck, causing some confusion among those from the UK who are more likely to grill their cheese toasties.
The popularity of grilled cheese in the US can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the combination of bread and cheese has been a favourite for centuries, with ancient Roman cookbooks recommending it as a meal. Secondly, the availability of inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese in the 1920s made grilled cheese sandwiches accessible to the general public. Finally, the versatility of the sandwich, with various cheeses, breads, and additional ingredients such as tomatoes, peppers, and onions, has allowed it to become a staple in the US, appealing to both adults and children.
Grilled cheese sandwiches have become so ingrained in US culture that they are now offered in a variety of settings, from food trucks to five-star restaurants. The grilled cheese has become a comfort food for many Americans, and its history and popularity make it a unique part of US cuisine. While similar dishes exist in other countries, such as the Welsh Rarebit or the French Croque Monsieur, the grilled cheese sandwich holds a special place in the hearts of many Americans.
The Mystery of Non-Melting Cheese in Grilled Sandwiches
You may want to see also
The British make cheese toasties
The British do indeed make cheese toasties, which are essentially the same as American grilled cheese sandwiches. They are made by placing cheese, often cheddar, between two slices of bread, which is then heated until the bread browns and the cheese melts.
While the British may refer to these sandwiches as "cheese toasties", they are also sometimes called "grilled cheese" in the UK, particularly by those who grew up watching American TV shows in the '80s and '90s. In these shows, grilled cheese was often portrayed as a comfort food, provided by adults to children going through difficult times.
There are some variations in the way the British make their cheese toasties. For example, while the Americans may use American cheese or sliced bread, the British may opt for a different type of cheese, such as English Cheddar, Wensleydale, Red Leicester, Cheshire, or a smooth, smoky Dutch Gouda. They may also use different types of bread, such as white, whole-grain, or granary bread, or thinly sliced sourdough.
In terms of preparation, the British may use a frying pan or grill pan to make their cheese toasties, rather than a sandwich toaster or toaster oven, which is more commonly used in the US. They may also add additional ingredients such as butter, mayonnaise, or other fillings like peppers, tomatoes, onions, ham, or bacon.
Cheese toasties are popular in the UK due to their ease and speed of preparation, as well as the endless choices of bread, cheeses, and fillings. They are considered a comforting and decadent snack or meal, enjoyed by people of all ages.
The Mystery of Pickles and Grilled Cheese Explained
You may want to see also
The French add ham to make a croque monsieur
While grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular dish in the US, they are not exclusively American. Similar dishes can be found in other countries, such as the Welsh rarebit or the French croque monsieur.
The croque monsieur is a French twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. The French add ham to make a croque monsieur, but it's not just any ham—it's typically "Jambon de Paris", a lean, unsmoked, mild-flavoured ham that is sold cooked and sliced in French grocery stores and butcher shops. This type of ham is less common in North America but can often be found at deli counters.
The croque monsieur is more than just a ham and cheese sandwich, however. It's a decadent, indulgent dish that takes the grilled cheese to the next level. The sandwich is made with a combination of rich, nutty hard French mountain cheeses such as Gruyère, Comté, or Emmental, which melt beautifully and provide a strong flavour without being overwhelming.
The bread is also important—a classic white Pain de Mie (or Pullman Bread in North America) is the traditional choice. But what really sets the croque monsieur apart is the addition of a creamy béchamel sauce, made with butter, flour, and milk, and a pinch of nutmeg. The sauce is spread on the bread, followed by a layer of ham and cheese. The sandwich is then grilled to perfection and finished under the broiler until it's cheesy, gooey, and chewy with crisp edges.
For an extra touch of decadence, some people add a fried egg on top, creating a croque madame—a popular variation served as brunch or breakfast in France.
Vegan Grilled Cheese: Best Dairy-Free Cheeses for Melting
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grilled cheese is not grilled
While grilled cheese is considered an American dish, the sandwich is rarely grilled. In fact, it is typically pan-fried or toasted. The confusion arises from the culinary definition of the term "grill", which means "to cook by high, dry heat applied to the surface of the food" or "food cooked on/with a grill". In the United States, grilled cheese sandwiches are usually made in a skillet or pan, with the bread being lightly fried or toasted.
The British, on the other hand, often grill their cheese toasties. However, the method of grilling the sandwich is not common in the US, as Americans typically associate grilling with outdoor cooking over an open flame. The idea of grilling a single sandwich over an outdoor grill does not align with American grilling culture.
The term "grilled cheese" originated in the United States during the Great Depression and World War II. At that time, grilled cheese sandwiches became a staple in the American diet due to their affordability and nutritional value. Poor Americans could afford these sandwiches, and they provided enough energy to get people through difficult times.
While the exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich is unknown, food historians believe that the combination of bread and cheese has been enjoyed for centuries, even appearing in ancient Roman cookbooks. However, cooking bread and cheese together is a more recent phenomenon. The popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches can be traced back to the 1920s, when inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese became widely available, making it a commercial and household success.
The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
You may want to see also
Grilled cheese became popular in the 1920s
Although the exact origin of the grilled cheese sandwich remains unknown, it became popular in the 1920s. This was due to a combination of factors, including the increasing popularity of dining out, the invention of sliced bread, and the availability of inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese.
In the 1920s, there was a significant rise in restaurant dining. This meant that grilled cheese sandwiches, made with cheap and readily available ingredients, became a popular choice for the public. In 1928, sliced bread was invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, considered the "father of sliced bread." This invention made distributing white bread easier and more affordable. Shortly before this, in 1914, processed cheese had been patented by James L. Kraft, an entrepreneur whose pasteurizing process ensured that cheese did not spoil during transportation.
The earliest form of the grilled cheese sandwich was open-faced, made with grated American cheese, and it quickly spread commercially and in the home. By the time the Great Depression struck in the 1930s, grilled cheese sandwiches were a staple of the American diet. Poor Americans could afford this inexpensive yet nutritious meal, which provided enough energy to get them through the day.
The grilled cheese sandwich continued to grow in popularity, and during World War II, it was a favourite of the Allied Armed Forces. Government-issued cookbooks instructed Navy cooks to prepare "American cheese filling sandwiches," and soon grilled cheese became a regular part of school cafeterias and home cooking. Today, grilled cheese is a comfort food enjoyed by both adults and children and can be found on the menus of delis and five-star restaurants alike.
The Great Debate: Grilled Cheese or Cheese Grilled?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Grilled cheese sandwiches are popular in the US and are considered a comfort food for many Americans. However, the exact origin of grilled cheese remains a mystery. While the US did not invent the combination of bread and cheese, the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today became popular in the US in the 1920s.
The standard way to make a grilled cheese sandwich in the US is in a skillet or pan. A layer of butter or mayonnaise is usually added to the outside of the bread for additional flavor and texture. The sandwich is then heated until the bread browns and the cheese melts.
Popular toppings for grilled cheese sandwiches include peppers, tomatoes, onions, eggs, pineapple, and bacon.
