Andy Montoya
The cheese sandwich is a classic, comforting dish, evoking childhood memories and providing a quick, tasty meal. The traditional cheese sandwich is made with cheddar, but there are many variations, including the grilled cheese, which is a popular variant where the sandwich is heated until the cheese melts. The cheese sandwich is versatile, with different types of bread, cheese, and toppings to choose from.
Characteristics of a cheese sandwich
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, sandwich bread, loaf, ciabatta, rye |
| Butter | Salted, Lurpack slightly salted, margarine |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, White Cheshire, Shropshire Red, Mozzarella, Gruyere, vintage cheddar, Swiss, Provolone, Monterey Jack, Havarti, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Brie |
| Add-ons | Crisps, vegetables, cooked meat, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, honey, oregano, black pepper, red chilli flakes, pickles, sauces, fruits |
| Cooking method | Grilled, toasted, air-fried, pan-fried, sandwich toaster |
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What You'll Learn
Bread: soft sandwich bread, thick slices, and no seeds
When making a cheese sandwich, the bread you use is important. For a traditional cheese sandwich, soft sandwich bread is the way to go. This type of bread is perfect for a simple, classic cheese sandwich. It's best to avoid fancy bread like sourdough, and instead go for a soft, white sandwich bread.
Thick slices of bread are ideal for a cheese sandwich. This ensures the sandwich is filling and also helps to avoid indigestion. It's important to note that if you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, you don't want your bread slices to be too thick, as the cheese might not melt properly.
When it comes to seeds, it's generally advised to avoid them in a cheese sandwich. Seeds can be distracting and take away from the cheese, which should be the star of the show.
If you're making the sandwich ahead of time, it's worth considering how you'll store your bread. Homemade soft sandwich bread can be stored at room temperature for up to three days in an airtight container or bag. If you slice the bread thinly, you can even freeze it for up to a month in an airtight bag.
Finally, don't forget to butter your bread! Buttering the bread not only adds flavour but also helps to hold the sandwich together, especially if you're using thick slices. Liberally butter one side of each slice, and if you're making a grilled cheese, don't forget to butter the outside of the bread before frying or toasting.
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Butter: spread on the bread or melted in the pan
Butter is an essential ingredient in a cheese sandwich, whether it's spread on the bread or melted in the pan. It adds flavour and moisture to the sandwich, and helps to create a golden, crispy crust when fried.
When spreading butter on the bread, it's important to use real butter and to be generous with the amount. Both slices of bread should be buttered, either on one side each or on both sides, depending on the method used to cook the sandwich. Buttering both sides of each slice will create a richer flavour and ensure that the cheese doesn't fall out.
If you're grilling or toasting the sandwich, spreading butter on the bread before cooking will help the bread to brown and crisp up. Alternatively, you can spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread, which will give an even crispier texture and a richer flavour.
When using a pan to cook the sandwich, melting butter in the pan first will create a golden buttery crust. Adding butter to the pan after assembling the sandwich and toasting it on low heat will help the cheese melt evenly. This technique is perfect for achieving a classic grilled cheese sandwich with a gooey, molten centre.
The amount of butter used will depend on personal preference. For a lighter flavour, a thin layer of butter or margarine can be spread on the bread. For a richer, more indulgent sandwich, feel free to use more butter and don't hold back on adding extra to the pan.
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Cheese: classic Cheddar, or a combination of cheeses
The classic cheese to use in a cheese sandwich is, of course, Cheddar. Whether mild or mature, Cheddar is the traditional option. But if you're feeling adventurous, you could try combining Cheddar with another cheese, like Red Leicester, for a slightly different flavour and a pop of colour. Just make sure it's a hard cheese, preferably another British variety like Double Gloucester, White Cheshire, or Shropshire Red.
For a grilled cheese sandwich, the cheese options are endless, but a combination of two cheeses is recommended for a richer taste. Mozzarella is a popular choice for its stretchiness and its ability to melt without becoming greasy. It is often paired with a more flavourful cheese, like Gruyere, vintage Cheddar, or provolone. For a truly gourmet sandwich, try a mix of Gruyere and brie with thinly sliced apples or a slathering of fig jam. Or, for an Italian twist, try a carrozza—a mozzarella sandwich coated in egg and flour and then fried.
If you're making a plain cheese sandwich, the bread should be soft and thick, and the slices should be buttered generously. Seeded bread is best avoided, as seeds can be distracting. Rectangular slices are preferable to triangles, as the cheese is less likely to fall out.
For grilled cheese, the bread should be toasted until golden, and the sandwich should be grilled or fried until the cheese melts. Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese, as it adds a tangy flavour. However, some people prefer regular white bread. To get the bread nice and crispy, you can spread mayonnaise on the outside of the slices before grilling.
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Add-ins: vegetables, meat, or mayonnaise
While a cheese sandwich is a simple concept, there are endless ways to elevate it with add-ins. Vegetables, meat, and mayonnaise are all popular choices.
If you're looking to add some crunch and nutrition to your sandwich, consider vegetables. Classic options include lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion. If you're feeling adventurous, try something different like radishes, zucchini, eggplant, or roasted peppers. You can even get creative with your preparation; try pickling vegetables or making a slaw with mayo, acid, and herbs.
Meat is another popular addition to a cheese sandwich. Simple options include sliced meats like ham or salami. For a heartier sandwich, consider adding cooked meats like chicken or bacon. If you're feeling experimental, try a chicken or tuna salad sandwich, or even a mushroom-based meat alternative.
Mayonnaise can act as a binding agent, helping to hold your sandwich together while adding a creamy texture and tangy flavor. You can use traditional mayonnaise or experiment with flavored varieties. Vegan options are also available, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this versatile condiment.
When adding vegetables, meat, or mayonnaise to your cheese sandwich, consider the flavor combinations and textures that will work best together. Experiment with different varieties of cheese, bread, and additional ingredients to create a sandwich that's perfectly tailored to your taste buds.
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Technique: grilled, toasted, or
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
To make a grilled cheese sandwich, you'll need sliced bread, butter, and cheese. You can use any sliced bread, but it shouldn't be too thick, thin, soft, or holey. Sourdough is a popular choice, but a simple white sandwich bread works too. You'll also need butter—either salted or unsalted—and cheese. The classic choice is cheddar, but you can also use mozzarella, gouda, or havarti.
To make the sandwich, butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the bread, butter-side down, on a hot skillet. Top with cheese, then place another slice of bread on top, butter-side up. Cook until the bottom slice is lightly browned, then flip and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
For a crispier sandwich, some people recommend using thicker-sliced bread, such as Texas toast. You can also add more butter to the pan when you flip the sandwich to get a richer crust.
Toasted Cheese Sandwich
To make a toasted cheese sandwich, or "toastie", you'll need sliced bread, butter, and cheese. You can use a sandwich press or toastie maker, but some people prefer to use a skillet or pan on the stove for a crispier result.
To make a toastie, butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the bread, butter-side down, on a hot skillet or pan. Top with cheese, then place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side up. Cook on medium heat for a few minutes on each side until golden and crispy, with the cheese melted in the centre.
Cold Cheese Sandwich
A cold cheese sandwich is a simple British classic. All you need is bread, butter, and cheese. The traditional choice is cheddar, but you can also use Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, White Cheshire, or Shropshire Red.
To make a cold cheese sandwich, liberally butter one side of each slice of bread. Top one slice with cheese, then add crisps or vegetables if desired. Place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side down, and gently press to secure the filling. Slice in half and enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
The classic option is Cheddar, but Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, White Cheshire, and Shropshire Red are also popular.
For a grilled cheese sandwich, you want a cheese with good melting properties. Good options include Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Provolone, and Cheddar.
For a traditional cheese sandwich, butter both slices of bread and add a light spread of butter or margarine to enhance the flavour of the cheese. For a grilled cheese, you can add mayonnaise to the outside of the bread to help it brown.
Popular British variants of the cheese sandwich include the cheese and pickle sandwich, the cheese and tomato sandwich, and the cheese and onion sandwich. The grilled cheese is another popular variation, as well as the Italian carrozza, which is a mozzarella cheese sandwich coated in egg and flour and then fried.
