Andy Montoya
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic, comforting dish. But what if you don't like cheese or can't eat dairy? It's time to get creative and find alternatives to the traditional grilled cheese sandwich. There are ways to make grilled sandwiches more interesting without cheese, such as adding caramelized onions or roasted tomato jam. You can also try adding sauces like Worcestershire sauce, which adds an umami-packed punch to the sandwich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Bread, Butter, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Tomato Jam |
| Bread Type | Sourdough, Brioche, Ciabatta, Italian Bread |
| Add-ons | Worcestershire Sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Caramelized onions
To make a grilled cheese with caramelized onions, start by slicing your onions and heating some butter or oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes to an hour, until they are deeply browned and softened. You can also add a splash of sherry, red wine, or vinegar to the onions to balance out the buttery flavours of the grilled cheese.
Once your onions are caramelized, you can assemble your sandwich. Spread a layer of fig jam or butter on one slice of bread, followed by the caramelized onions, and then sprinkle on grated white cheddar or Gruyère cheese. You can also mix the cheese with the onions before assembling the sandwich to ensure an even melt. Top with another slice of bread, buttered on the outside, and cook in a pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Caramelized onion grilled cheese sandwiches pair well with tomato soup, and you can also add bacon, kimchi, or fresh minced dates to the sandwich for additional flavour.
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Roasted tomato jam
Ingredients:
- 28-ounce can of plum tomatoes (preferably without added salt or spices) or 4-5 ripe red tomatoes
- 5-6 large cloves of garlic, slivered
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, freshly ground
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Line a 9x13 baking pan with aluminum foil.
- If using canned tomatoes, cut or mash them into small pieces. Pour off about half of the juices, then spread the tomatoes evenly in the baking pan.
- If using fresh tomatoes, chop them into quarters and spread them in the pan.
- Mix in the garlic cloves and drizzle generously with olive oil.
- Sprinkle a few pinches of kosher salt, black pepper, and cinnamon on top.
- Bake at 325°F for about 3 hours, or until the tomatoes are very soft and have coloured. Canned tomatoes will need less time, about 1-2 hours.
- Stir the jam approximately every 30 minutes, checking it more often after about an hour and a half.
- To test if the jam is ready, run a spoon down the middle of the jam. If the line holds, it's ready; if liquid seeps in, continue roasting.
- Once the desired consistency is reached, remove the jam from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan. It will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Transfer the jam to a glass jar and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for about 2 weeks.
You can also experiment with different spices like red pepper flakes, oregano, Italian spice mix, or fennel. If you want a more neutral flavour, you can opt to leave out the cinnamon or fennel.
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Worcestershire sauce
If you're looking to make a grilled cheese sandwich without the cheese, one option is to use Worcestershire sauce as a substitute for the cheese. While it may seem unusual, Worcestershire sauce is actually a great way to add a punch of flavour to your grilled sandwich. The sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and savoury, with notes of garlic and pepper, making it a perfect complement to the rich, creamy flavours of cheese.
There are multiple ways to incorporate Worcestershire sauce into a grilled cheese sandwich. One method is to dip the warm sandwich into a cup of the sauce, allowing the bread to soak up the flavours while remaining crispy. Another option is to sprinkle the sauce between layers of cheese before melting the sandwich. You can also add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the butter in the pan, creating a salty and buttery coating for the bread.
If you're unsure about adding Worcestershire sauce directly to your sandwich, you can start by dipping your grilled cheese into a few dabs of the sauce on the side. This way, you can taste the difference it makes and adjust the amount of sauce to your preference. Over time, you can experiment with adding it directly to the sandwich or mixing it with spreadable cheese for even distribution.
When making a grilled cheese with Worcestershire sauce, it's important to consider the type of bread and cheese used. Thick slices of sourdough or Italian bread pair well with cheeses such as manchego, gruyère, fontina, or cheddar. To prevent the bread from getting soggy, it's recommended to add the sauce on top of the cheese before topping it with another slice of bread. Don't forget to butter the bread and cook it over medium heat until golden brown for the perfect grilled cheese experience!
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Sourdough bread
When making a grilled cheese sandwich with sourdough bread, it is recommended to use slices that are about 1/2-inch thick. This thickness allows for the ideal crispiness without overloading the sandwich. If you prefer a super crispy grilled cheese, you can go for slightly thinner slices, about 1/4-inch thick. Just be mindful that thin slices can toast too fast before the cheese fully melts. On the other hand, if you are adding extras like caramelized onions, tomatoes, or meats, thicker slices (about 3/4-inch thick) can help hold everything together.
To get a nice, golden brown crust on your sourdough grilled cheese, you can spread a light layer of mayonnaise or butter on the outside of the bread slices. Butter adds richness, while mayonnaise helps the bread brown evenly without burning. If you want to use butter, it is recommended to use real butter and salted butter is said to pair nicely with sourdough and cheese. You can also try using a combination of both butter and mayonnaise.
When it comes to cheese, a combination of sharp cheddar and gouda is a popular choice as these cheeses melt well, taste great, and can be easily found in any grocery store. However, you can also experiment with different types of cheese based on your preference. Mild cheeses like mozzarella and havarti melt smoothly, so you can use a bit more of them. Sharp cheeses like aged cheddar and gruyere have a strong flavour, so a little goes a long way. It is recommended to pair them with a milder, meltier cheese for balance. Hard cheeses like parmesan and asiago add flavour but don't melt well on their own, so use them sparingly.
To make a grilled cheese sandwich with sourdough bread, spread butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread slices. You can also spread butter on the inside of the bread before adding the cheese to create an even crunchier, crispier sandwich. Place the sandwich in a warmed skillet or frying pan and grill it on both sides until each side is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Depending on the thickness of your cheese and bread slices, this may take about 2-4 minutes per side. Remove the sandwich from the pan and let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the cheese to settle so that every bite stays perfectly gooey.
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Ciabatta bread
Choosing the Right Ciabatta
Start by selecting a fresh, high-quality Ciabatta loaf from your local bakery. Look for one with a golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior. If you can't find Ciabatta bread, a similar type of loaf, such as a French baguette or a crusty Italian loaf, can also work well.
Preparing the Bread
Before assembling your sandwich, slice the Ciabatta loaf in half lengthwise. If your bread is particularly fluffy, you may want to gently pull out some of the excess bread from the centre to create a slightly thinner slice that will be easier to bite into. This step is optional but can help create a better bread-to-filling ratio.
Butter and Seasonings
Butter plays a crucial role in a grilled cheese sandwich. It adds flavour and helps to create a golden, crispy crust. If you're looking for a rich, indulgent option, try spreading roasted garlic butter on the cut sides of the bread. You can make roasted garlic butter by roasting a head of garlic, then mashing the cloves into softened butter along with Parmesan cheese, oregano, and seasoning. Alternatively, you can simply use plain butter or a butter substitute.
In addition to butter, you can enhance the flavour of your sandwich with various seasonings. Freshly cracked black pepper is a classic choice, adding a bit of warmth and spice to your sandwich. You can also experiment with other herbs and spices, such as red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, or even a pinch of curry powder for an unexpected twist.
Cheese Selection
When it comes to cheese, the options are endless. For a classic grilled cheese, shredded Cheddar or Mozzarella are always excellent choices. However, feel free to get creative and experiment with different types of cheese, such as Swiss, Gruyère, or a blend of multiple cheeses. If you're looking for a lighter option, you can opt for grass-fed cheeses or even mashed avocado, which provides creaminess while helping to lower LDL cholesterol.
Assembly and Cooking
Now it's time to assemble your sandwich. Spread your butter or butter substitute on the cut sides of the bread, then sprinkle your chosen cheese generously on top. Close the sandwich by placing the other half of the Ciabatta on top. If desired, you can also add additional toppings, such as sliced tomatoes, fried apples, or grilled vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, and onions.
Once your sandwich is assembled, it's time to cook it. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. You can test if the skillet is hot enough by tapping the top edge of the pan—if it's warm, it's ready. Place your sandwich in the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown. To help achieve an even melt and a crispy exterior, press down on the sandwich with a flat spatula while it cooks.
Serving and Storage
Serve your Ciabatta grilled cheese sandwich hot and crispy, paired with a bowl of soup or a fresh salad. If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then wrap them in parchment paper followed by plastic wrap to prevent the sandwich from getting too soft. Store the wrapped sandwich in the refrigerator and reheat it in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
If you remove the cheese from a grilled cheese sandwich, it is no longer a grilled cheese sandwich. However, you can make a grilled ham and bacon sandwich, or use caramelized onions or roasted tomato jam as a replacement for the cheese.
You can use caramelized onions or roasted tomato jam as a replacement for cheese in grilled sandwiches.
Some alternatives to cheese in grilled cheese sandwiches are fresh mozzarella, tomato, tuna, chicken, turkey, and ham.
If you want to cut down on dairy items, you can use ham, or grilled portobello with onion and pepper.
If you want to cut down on fat, salt, and cholesterol, you can use fresh mozzarella, tomato, tuna, chicken, turkey, or ham as alternatives to cheese.
