Randy Chandler
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic American comfort food. They are simple to make and can be adapted in many ways. The basic recipe involves melting cheese between two slices of toasted bread. The type of cheese is important: it should be a good melter, like American, young cheddar, Swiss-style cheeses like Gruyère, or young Italian and French cheeses like Taleggio or Brie. The sandwich is cooked over medium-low heat so that the cheese melts and the bread turns a deep golden brown. The exterior can be made extra crispy by using mayonnaise instead of butter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | American, young cheddar, Swiss-style cheeses like Gruyère, young Italian and French cheeses like Taleggio or Brie, gouda, mozzarella, feta, fontina, parmesan |
| Bread | White |
| Cooking method | Cooked on a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat |
| Cooking fat | Butter or mayonnaise |
| Add-ons | Fresh vegetables or fruits, potato chips, pretzels, Cheez-Its, mustard, meat |
| Calories | 490 |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
Softer cheeses with higher fat content tend to melt better and create that gooey, creamy texture that is characteristic of a grilled cheese sandwich. Classic options include American cheese, young cheddar, and Swiss-style cheeses like Gruyère or Comté. These cheeses melt well and provide a good balance of flavour and texture without being too overpowering.
If you want to experiment with different cheeses, you can try combinations like mozzarella and feta or Fontina with Parmesan. Just remember that one of the cheeses should be a good melter to hold the sandwich together. For a crunchy texture, add shredded cheddar or Parmesan to the outside of the bread before grilling, creating a crispy cheese crust.
Another factor to consider is the saltiness and sweetness of the cheese. Gouda, for example, adds a salty-sweet flavour, while American cheese brings meltiness. You can also enhance the flavour by adding other ingredients like mustard for dipping, fresh vegetables or fruits, or even crushed pretzels or potato chips for a unique twist.
Lastly, the amount of cheese you use can vary depending on your preference. A classic grilled cheese sandwich typically uses two slices of American cheese, but you can adjust the amount to your taste or add extra cheese for a more indulgent sandwich.
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Bread type and preparation
The bread is a key component of a grilled cheese sandwich. It is recommended to use white bread, and the bread should be grilled on both sides to add extra crunch. The bread should be toasted on a low and slow heat so that the cheese melts inside without burning.
To prepare the bread, start by spreading butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice. You can also add garlic powder and shredded Parmesan cheese to the mayonnaise for extra flavour and crispness.
Once the bread is prepared, place it in a non-stick skillet or pan, with the buttered/mayonnaised side down. Cook the bread on medium-low heat until it is pale golden brown, which should take about two minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a work surface, with the toasted side up.
For a classic grilled cheese, top one slice of bread with two slices of American cheese, and place the other slice of bread on top, with the toasted side facing inward.
Add another piece of butter to the skillet and cook the sandwich on medium-low heat until it is deep golden brown and crispy, which should take about five minutes.
For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on the outside of the bread before removing it from the heat. Allow the cheese to crisp up for a minute or two, forming a delicious cheese crust.
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Cooking temperature and time
When making an American grilled cheese sandwich, it is important to cook the sandwich at the right temperature and for the right amount of time to ensure that the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. The ideal temperature for cooking a grilled cheese sandwich is medium-low heat. This will allow the sandwich to cook evenly and prevent the outside from getting too hot too quickly, which can result in the centre remaining cool and unmelted.
To start, melt a tablespoon of butter in a 10-inch nonstick pan over medium heat. Once the foaming subsides, add the bread slices and cook until they are a pale golden brown on the bottom, which should take about 2 minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a work surface, toasted side up. Place the cheese slices on top of one slice, and then close the sandwich, with both toasted sides facing inward.
At this point, you should add another piece of butter to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is a deep, even golden brown, which should take about 5 minutes. If you want to add cheddar cheese to the crust, this should be done now. Sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese on the outside of the bread and let it crisp for a minute or two until it forms a cheese crust.
The total cooking time for an American grilled cheese sandwich is typically around 6 minutes. However, it is important to keep an eye on the sandwich and adjust the temperature as needed to ensure that the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted without burning.
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Additional ingredients
The classic American grilled cheese sandwich is a simple dish that can be easily adapted with additional ingredients. The basic sandwich is made with American cheese and white bread, but you can experiment with different types of cheese, bread, and toppings to create your own unique grilled cheese sandwich.
When it comes to cheese, it's important to choose a variety that melts well. Classic options include American, young cheddar, Swiss-style cheeses like Gruyère or Comté, and young Italian and French cheeses like Taleggio or Brie. Medium cheddar is also a good option, as it adds flavour and texture without being too overpowering. If you want to get creative, you can try combining different types of cheese, such as mozzarella and feta or Fontina and Parmesan. Just avoid dry, crumbly, or overly aged cheeses that don't melt properly, like Parmesan, hard pecorino, or goat cheese.
In addition to cheese, you can add a variety of toppings to your grilled cheese sandwich. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs can add a sweet or tart flavour. You can also try something more unusual, like crushed pretzels, potato chips, or even grilled cheese-flavoured crackers. If you're feeling indulgent, you can add melted milk chocolate or Nutella to your sandwich.
Another way to enhance your grilled cheese sandwich is to experiment with different types of bread. You can also try toasting or grilling the bread before assembling the sandwich to add extra crunch.
Finally, don't forget about the cooking method. The key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is cooking it slowly over medium-low heat to ensure that the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. You can also try replacing butter with mayonnaise to make the sandwich extra crispy, or adding seasonings like garlic powder or shredded Parmesan cheese to the mayonnaise for even more flavour.
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Serving suggestions
An American grilled cheese sandwich is a nostalgic, comforting classic. It is simple to make and can be served with a variety of sides and dips.
For a classic grilled cheese, serve the sandwich with a bowl of soup. This is a perfect lunch option. For a simple side, a squirt of yellow mustard on the side of the plate is a great option for dipping.
For something a little more indulgent, load your sandwich with extra toppings. You could add fresh, juicy vegetables with a distinctive sweet or tart flavour—cucumber, for example. Or, for something a little more "meta", add crushed-up pretzels, potato chips, or even Cheez-Its. Melted milk chocolate and Nutella are also great additions, especially when paired with Brie.
For a more savoury option, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on the outside of the bread to create a crispy cheese crust. You could also experiment with different cheeses, such as gouda, medium cheddar, gruyère, or taleggio. If you like a strong flavour, try adding a non-melting cheese, like feta or parmesan, as another topping.
For an extra-crispy sandwich, replace the butter with mayonnaise, and perhaps add some garlic powder.
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Frequently asked questions
An American grilled cheese sandwich is a classic American food, often eaten as a quick lunch or midnight snack. It is made by grilling cheese between two slices of bread.
It is best to use a cheese with good melting characteristics, such as classic American, young cheddar, Swiss-style cheeses like Gruyère, or young Italian and French cheeses like Taleggio or Brie.
It is best to cook the sandwich on a "low and slow" heat so that the bread toasts and the cheese melts inside. You can also try grilling the bread on both sides for added crunch.
Yes, you can add other ingredients to an American grilled cheese sandwich. Some suggestions include fresh vegetables or fruits, meats, and other cheeses.
