Bushra Griffith
Grilled cheese and quesadillas are both popular dishes that are enjoyed by people of all ages. While the grilled cheese sandwich is a beloved classic, the quesadilla is a popular Mexican dish. But which came first? This question has sparked much debate, with some arguing that the grilled cheese is the original creation, while others claim that the quesadilla predates it. The answer lies in the history of these dishes and their cultural origins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Grilled cheese: Unknown |
| Quesadilla: Colonial Mexico | |
| Ingredients | Grilled cheese: Bread, cheese |
| Quesadilla: Tortilla, cheese, and other ingredients such as meat, beans, or vegetables | |
| Preparation | Grilled cheese: Grilled or toasted |
| Quesadilla: Grilled or toasted until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy | |
| Variations | Grilled cheese: Can be made with different types of bread and cheese |
| Quesadilla: Can be made with corn or flour tortillas, and different types of cheese such as Oaxaca, mozzarella, or cheddar | |
| Serving Suggestions | Grilled cheese: Served as a sandwich, often with fries or chips on the side |
| Quesadilla: Served as a snack, appetizer, or main course, often with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream on the side |
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What You'll Learn
Is a quesadilla a grilled cheese?
The quesadilla is a popular Mexican dish made by filling a tortilla with cheese and sometimes other ingredients such as meat, beans, or vegetables. The dish is then grilled or toasted until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. On the other hand, a grilled cheese sandwich is made by grilling sliced bread with cheese inside.
Some people consider a quesadilla to be a type of grilled cheese sandwich. For example, a Reddit user shared that they once ordered a grilled cheese sandwich in a Spanish deli in New York and were served two slices of bread with a slice of cheese microwaved in between. Another user commented that their Mexican friend calls grilled cheese sandwiches "white people quesadillas". A third user posted that they swapped the tortilla in a quesadilla for bread and created a chicken quesadilla grilled cheese sandwich.
However, others disagree with this classification. One Reddit user commented that a quesadilla is not a grilled cheese sandwich because a tortilla is not bread. Another user questioned whether other types of bread in non-conventional loaf shapes, such as cornbread, could be used to make a grilled cheese sandwich.
Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on one's definition of a grilled cheese sandwich and the extent to which one believes that a tortilla can be considered a type of bread.
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What's the best cheese for a quesadilla?
While there is no definitive answer to whether grilled cheese or quesadillas came first, many people consider quesadillas to be Mexican grilled cheese sandwiches.
The Best Cheeses for Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a simple dish, but the choice of cheese is crucial as it adds richness and gooeyness. The best cheese for quesadillas should have good melting properties and a mild flavour.
Monterey Jack is a popular choice for quesadillas due to its great melting properties. Cheddar, Colby Jack, and Chihuahua cheese are also good options as they melt well and have a mild flavour. For a more authentic Mexican flavour, you can use a blend of Mexican cheeses such as Oaxaca, a stringy Mexican cheese, or queso fresco, a mild, crumbly white cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try a spicy pepper jack cheese.
When making quesadillas, it's best to grate your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese from the grocery store is coated in cellulose to prevent clumping, which also affects its melting ability. You can also add butter to your quesadilla to enhance the flavour and create a crispy texture.
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What's the best bread for a grilled cheese?
While the classic grilled cheese sandwich is made with thinly sliced soft white bread, there are many types of bread that can be used to make a delicious grilled cheese. The best bread for a grilled cheese sandwich should have a soft-but-hearty texture with even slices of medium thickness (about 1/4 inch). Pre-sliced bread is a great option for even heat distribution, but if your bread isn't pre-sliced, take care to slice it evenly yourself. Choose a loaf with a uniform texture, as bread with large holes or an open crumb can allow cheese to leak out.
Sandwich bread tends to be soft and light, which is perfect for a grilled cheese. White bread is a popular option, but don't be afraid to branch out and try whole-wheat, multigrain, oatmeal, or potato bread. Multigrain bread, in particular, boosts fibre and flavour and stands up to a variety of cheeses. If you're looking for a tangier option, sourdough bread is a great choice that adds a little extra flavour to your sandwich. For an extra-decadent treat, try airy, buttery brioche, which has a soft yet sturdy texture that holds up during pan-frying.
If you're looking for something crustier, ciabatta and baguette are great options for an outside-in grilled cheese, where the exterior is crispy and golden-brown, and the interior is soft and melty. You can also use focaccia, which has a similar texture to ciabatta, or a crusty, tangy, naturally leavened bread, which makes an excellent foil for rich, melty artisan cheese. For an unorthodox choice, cinnamon raisin bread adds a unique mix of sweet and savoury to your sandwich.
While not a traditional bread, flour tortillas can also be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches, also known as quesadillas.
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What's the history of the quesadilla?
The quesadilla is a Mexican dish that consists of a tortilla filled with cheese and other ingredients, such as meat, spices, and vegetables. The dish is then cooked on a griddle or stove until the cheese has melted, and the tortilla is slightly crispy. The quesadilla is believed to have originated in the northern regions of Mexico, particularly the state of Sonora, and is derived from the Spanish word "queso", which means cheese.
Initially, the indigenous peoples of Mexico utilized tortillas as staples in their diet, a practice that predates the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish introduced dairy products like cheese, which, when combined with the tortilla, laid the foundation for what we now know as the quesadilla. This fusion of ingredients symbolizes the blending of two cultures, creating a dish that has endured and spread across the world.
The quesadilla has evolved over time, with people experimenting with different variations. While the traditional quesadilla is made with a corn tortilla, some modern variations use flour tortillas. The cheese used in the original recipe was likely queso Oaxaca, a type of Mexican cheese with a stringy texture when melted, similar to mozzarella. Other traditional Mexican cheeses used include Chihuahua cheese, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and even mozzarella.
In Mexico City, quesadillas are not assumed to include cheese unless specifically requested, and in some regions of Mexico, they are topped with ingredients such as avocado or guacamole, chopped onion, tomato, serrano chiles, and cilantro. Outside of Mexico, tourists often confuse the quesadilla with the sincronizada, which is a similar dish that does not include cheese and is considered completely different by locals.
The quesadilla has become a versatile dish, with variations around the world. For example, in the United States, ground beef is added to create a "beef and cheese" quesadilla, while in Spain, the "Spanish quesadilla" features chorizo and manchego cheese. In Venezuela, the tortilla is swapped for a thick maize cake, and in the Philippines, the bicho-bicho quesadilla is a sweet and savory twist served with sugar or meat.
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What's the difference between a grilled cheese and a melt?
Grilled cheese sandwiches and melts are two of the most popular sandwiches in America. While they may seem similar, they are quite different.
A grilled cheese sandwich is a simple, classic sandwich made with just a few ingredients. Typically, it consists of two slices of bread with cheese in between. The bread is usually white, but any type of bread can be used. The most common cheeses used are American Cheese, Cheddar, or deli-style Swiss Cheese. To make it, you butter the bread on the outside and cook it in a skillet or on a griddle.
On the other hand, a melt is made with fresh slices of bread, and the bread is not toasted before adding the ingredients. The bread used in a melt is typically a hearty bread like rye, sourdough, or wheat bread. The cheese in a melt is not the main ingredient, and there are usually many additional ingredients, such as tuna, turkey, tomatoes, onions, or mushrooms. Sauces like mustard or mayonnaise are also commonly used in melts, adding extra flavor.
Some people consider the term "melt" to be an internet meme, and not a real definition used by people in everyday life. However, others argue that a grilled cheese becomes a melt when the cheese is no longer the main ingredient and other ingredients are added, such as proteins.
As for the question of what came first, the grilled cheese or the quesadilla, it is hard to say. Some people consider a quesadilla to be a type of grilled cheese sandwich, specifically a Mexican grilled cheese sandwich, as it is made with cheese and bread or tortillas, which are a type of flatbread. However, others argue that a quesadilla is distinct from a grilled cheese sandwich due to its use of tortillas instead of bread.
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Frequently asked questions
Grilled cheese is a sandwich made by grilling slices of cheese between two pieces of bread.
A quesadilla is a popular Mexican dish made by filling a tortilla with cheese and other ingredients such as meat, beans, or vegetables, and then grilling or toasting it until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
It is unclear which dish came first as both are very similar and involve grilling cheese. Quesadillas are from colonial Mexico, but it is unknown when grilled cheese sandwiches first originated.
The main difference is that grilled cheese uses bread whereas quesadillas use tortillas. Another difference is that quesadillas are often served with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, whereas grilled cheese is usually served with fries or chips on the side.
Both dishes are very similar as they are both made by grilling cheese. They can also be made with a variety of different cheeses and can be served as a snack, appetizer, or main course.
