Bushra Griffith
Panera Bread's grilled cheese sandwiches have been a popular menu item for years. The chain has offered several variations of the classic grilled cheese, including a four-cheese version. The four-cheese grilled cheese sandwich reportedly included a combination of fontina, cheddar, Gruyère, and an herbed cheese spread. The sandwich was served on white bread with butter and mayonnaise. While the four-cheese grilled cheese is no longer on the menu, Panera Bread has since introduced new grilled cheese options, such as the Kickin' Grilled Cheese, which features a spicy salsa verde spread and a combination of cheddar and Gruyère cheeses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 4 |
| Types of cheese | Fontina, Gruyère, cheddar, and an herbed cheese spread |
| Bread | Sourdough, white, or classic |
| Additional ingredients | Mayonnaise, butter, bacon, avocado, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, herbs |
| Cooking instructions | Cook on medium-low heat until golden brown and the cheese is melted |
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What You'll Learn
Fontina, Gruyère, cheddar, and an herbed cheese spread
Panera Bread's grilled cheese sandwich is a popular choice, with its combination of four cheeses: fontina, Gruyère, cheddar, and an herbed cheese spread. This sandwich is an elevated take on the classic grilled cheese, with a mix of creamy, nutty, sharp, and tangy flavours.
The key to a great grilled cheese is using a generous amount of cheese and ensuring it is melted to perfection. Panera's sandwich delivers on this, with a decadent mix of cheeses that complement each other perfectly. Fontina, a popular choice for grilled cheese, is known for its creamy texture and nutty flavour. Gruyère adds a touch of sweetness and a slightly earthy flavour, while cheddar brings a sharp tang to the sandwich. The herbed cheese spread adds a unique twist, with garlic and herb flavours that enhance the overall taste.
The preparation of this grilled cheese is quite standard, with butter and mayonnaise spread on the outside of the sandwich to achieve a golden brown crust. The sandwich is grilled until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, creating a crispy exterior and a creamy, gooey interior.
This combination of cheeses creates a delicious and indulgent grilled cheese experience. While the exact recipe for Panera's grilled cheese may vary, the use of these four cheeses is a good foundation for recreating this popular sandwich at home.
Additionally, Panera Bread offers other grilled cheese variations, such as the Kickin' Grilled Cheese, which includes a spicy salsa verde spread, and the Roasted Turkey, Apple & Cheddar Sandwich, which adds a unique twist to the classic grilled cheese.
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Fontina, provolone, and Boursin cheese spread
Panera Bread previously served a grilled cheese sandwich with four cheeses, including fontina. This sandwich has since been discontinued, but recreations of the recipe can be found online.
The four cheeses used in the sandwich were fontina, Gruyère, cheddar, and an herbed cheese spread. The herbed cheese spread was Boursin cheese spread, and the fontina was described as "creamy and nutty," while the provolone added a "sharp and tangy" contrast.
To make a copycat version of this sandwich, you can follow these steps:
- Spread Boursin cheese spread on both slices of bread.
- Top one slice of bread with cheese slices, including fontina and provolone, with provolone in the middle.
- Place the second slice of bread, Boursin-side down, on top of the cheese.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until light golden brown, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Spread the remaining butter on the top piece of bread, flip the sandwich, and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted, for another 4 to 6 minutes.
The sandwich can be served immediately and can be sliced diagonally. This recipe is a recreation and may not be an exact replica of the original Panera Bread sandwich, but it captures the essence of their popular grilled cheese sandwich with four cheeses.
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White cheddar and American cheese
The Kickin' Grilled Cheese is made with two slices of classic white bread. The cheese is sandwiched between the slices, and the outside of the sandwich is spread with butter and cooked until golden brown. The sandwich is then flipped, and the other side is cooked until the cheese is melted. This process typically takes around 4 to 6 minutes per side.
White cheddar cheese is a type of cheddar cheese that is paler in colour than traditional cheddar. It is often aged for a shorter period, resulting in a milder flavour and a creamier texture. American cheese, on the other hand, is a processed cheese product that is typically made from a blend of cheeses, such as cheddar, Colby, or Swiss. It is known for its smooth, creamy texture and mild flavour.
When used in grilled cheese sandwiches, both white cheddar and American cheese melt well and contribute to the overall creaminess and flavour of the dish. They are popular choices for grilled cheese due to their ability to stretch and their appealing texture when melted. Additionally, their mild flavours complement the other ingredients in the sandwich without overwhelming the palate.
In conclusion, white cheddar and American cheese are two of the key ingredients in Panera's Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich. They play an important role in balancing the spiciness of the salsa verde spread and adding a creamy, mild flavour to the dish. Their melting properties and appealing texture make them ideal choices for grilled cheese sandwiches, contributing to the overall taste and enjoyment of the meal.
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$4.32
Cheddar and Gruyère
Cheddar is a popular cheese variety that originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset. It has a relatively long history, dating back to at least the 12th century. Cheddar cheese is now produced all over the world and is known for its relatively sharp taste and firm texture. White cheddar is used in the Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich.
Gruyère, on the other hand, is a type of Swiss cheese that originated in the town of Gruyères in Switzerland. It has a rich, slightly sweet taste and a smooth, creamy texture. Gruyère is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches due to its excellent melting properties.
Both cheddar and Gruyère are versatile cheeses that can be used in a wide variety of dishes. They are also commonly eaten on their own or as part of a cheese platter. When used in grilled cheese sandwiches, they add a depth of flavour and a delightful, gooey texture.
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Fontina
Vergara's copycat recipe for the Panera grilled cheese includes fontina, Gruyère, and cheddar with an herbed cheese spread on the inside. She also suggests a simpler version with just two cheeses, combining creamy and nutty fontina with sharp and tangy provolone.
To make a copycat version of the Panera grilled cheese at home, you would typically use white bread, butter, mayonnaise, and cheese. The cheese slices are sandwiched between two slices of bread, and the outside of the sandwich is brushed with mayonnaise. It is then cooked in a skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown on both sides.
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Frequently asked questions
The four cheeses used in Panera's grilled cheese are fontina, Gruyère, cheddar, and an herbed cheese spread.
No, it seems that the 4-cheese grilled cheese sandwich has been discontinued by Panera.
Panera offers a Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwich, which includes a salsa verde spread, American cheese, and white cheddar cheese.
