Andy Montoya
Grilled cheese, also known as a toasted sandwich, cheese toastie, or jaffle, is a hot sandwich made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread. The sandwich is usually cooked in a pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster with butter or mayonnaise, until the bread browns and the cheese melts. While the sandwich is typically made with cheddar or American cheese, some variations include adding peppers, tomatoes, or onions.
Characteristics and Values of Grilled Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Food | Hot sandwich |
| Main Ingredients | Bread, Cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, Mayonnaise, Cooking Oil, Salt |
| Bread Type | Sourdough, White Bread, Pain di Mie |
| Cheese Type | Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gruyère, Raclette, Swiss, American |
| Additional Ingredients | Spinach, Scallions, Garlic, Fig Jam, Pickles, Tomatoes, Fruits |
| Preparation Method | Pan-fried, Grilled, Toasted |
| Serving Suggestion | Tomato Soup |
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What You'll Learn
Grilled cheese vs. cheese toastie
Grilled cheese and cheese toastie are two names for essentially the same dish: a hot cheese sandwich. The main difference between the two is the cooking method and geographical location. In the US, the term grilled cheese is more common, while in the UK, people usually refer to the same dish as a cheese toastie.
Cooking Method
The cooking method is inherent in the name of the two sandwiches. Grilled cheese sandwiches are cooked directly on a heat source, such as a skillet, griddle, frying pan, or grill pan. This direct exposure to heat gives the sandwich its characteristic golden brown colour and crispy texture. On the other hand, cheese toasties are usually made in a toaster, toaster oven, or sandwich press, resulting in a drier and airier texture.
Ingredients
Both sandwiches typically consist of bread, cheese, and butter or mayonnaise. The type of cheese and bread used can vary depending on personal preference, with popular choices including cheddar, American cheese, Gruyère, and raclette. Additional ingredients such as vegetables, fruit, or pickles can also be added to either sandwich for extra flavour and texture.
History
The first recorded recipe for a cheese toastie appears in an 1861 English cookbook, "Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management". This recipe involved placing sandwiches of brown bread and butter with slices of Cheshire cheese in an oven. During the Great Depression in the US, the "cheese dream", an open-faced grilled cheese sandwich, became popular.
In conclusion, while grilled cheese and cheese toastie refer to similar dishes, the terms are used interchangeably, and the differences lie primarily in the cooking method and cultural context. Whether you call it a grilled cheese or a cheese toastie, this classic combination of bread and cheese has become a beloved comfort food around the world.
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Bread types
The bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich is just as important as the cheese and other fillings. The right bread can make or break your sandwich. For the ideal grilled cheese, look for bread with a soft-but-hearty texture with evenly sliced bread of medium thickness (about 1/4 inch).
Sliced Bread
Even slices mean your grilled cheese will cook evenly. If your bread choice isn't pre-sliced, take extra care to slice it evenly and not too thickly. Choose a loaf with a uniform texture. Bread with an open crumb or holes in the interior can allow melted cheese to leak out of the sandwich when cooking. Avoid rolls. When making a grilled cheese, the interior of the bread should make contact with the pan so it can get nice and crispy. The interior is more porous than the crust, making it ideal for soaking up the flavours of melted butter and/or mayo slathered on the outside of the sandwich.
Sandwich Bread
If you're going for a classic grilled cheese sandwich, look no further than a loaf of sandwich bread. It tends to be soft and light, which is perfect for a grilled cheese. Don't limit yourself to white bread—whole-wheat, multigrain, oatmeal, and potato bread all make great grilled cheeses.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese. Its sturdy slices can hold up to a long sear in the pan. The crust and thorough toasting create a great crunch. Its flavour stands up to but won't overwhelm the cheese. A downside could be the irregular holes that could make cheese drips a challenge. Look for country-style sourdoughs that have a tighter crumb.
Brioche
Brioche is a rich bread made with eggs, milk, and butter. It is an enriched bread that includes ingredients like eggs and sugar, which means it browns more quickly than other breads. Keep an eye on it, as you may need to cook your grilled cheese over a lower heat to avoid burning the exterior. Look for loaves of brioche that can be sliced, rather than rolls, which don’t make great grilled cheeses.
Rye Bread
Rye bread is another option to add extra flavour to a grilled cheese. It gets its flavour from rye berries and the addition of caraway seeds. Light rye is made with rye flour, while dark rye uses both rye flour and additional ingredients like molasses. Rye is a great complement to mild cheeses like Swiss, Gruyère, or Gouda.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
For a mix of sweet and savoury in your grilled cheese, consider cinnamon raisin bread. It pairs well with Brie, a naturally fatty cheese with moderately buttery notes. The cinnamon-sugar flavours that often accompany the raisins are a great pairing with this creamy cheese.
Other Bread Types
There are many other bread types that can be used for grilled cheese, including seeded bread, pumpernickel bread, and baguettes.
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Cheese types
The beauty of a grilled cheese sandwich is its simplicity, but also its versatility. While the primary ingredient is cheese, there are so many types of cheese to choose from, and combinations to experiment with.
A classic grilled cheese sandwich is made with cheddar, often a strong, sharp cheddar for its nutty flavour and ability to melt smoothly. American cheese is also a popular choice, especially when paired with mayonnaise on the outside of the bread, which creates a crisp, golden crust. A combination of these two cheeses is also a great option, with the mildness of American cheese balancing out the sharpness of the cheddar.
Mozzarella is another popular choice, as it has a great "cheese pull" and melts well without becoming greasy. It is often combined with a stronger, more flavourful cheese, such as Gruyère, Raclette, or vintage cheddar. Mozzarella also works well with a flavoured cheese, such as pesto, or a creamy strained yoghurt spread like labneh.
For a Greek-inspired grilled cheese, feta is a great option, especially when paired with garlic and spinach. A more complex, funky flavour can be achieved with blue cheese, or a combination of Gruyère and Brie. Fontina, Gouda, and Parmesan are also mentioned as possible options for a grilled cheese sandwich.
Ultimately, the choice of cheese comes down to personal preference, and there are endless combinations to experiment with to find your favourite.
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Butter vs. mayonnaise
A grilled cheese sandwich is a hot cheese sandwich made by heating cheese, typically cheddar or American cheese, between two slices of bread. The sandwich is then placed on a pan or griddle to heat until the bread browns and the cheese melts. A layer of butter or mayonnaise is usually added to the outside of the bread for additional flavour and texture.
Butter and mayonnaise are both fats that can be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Butter is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, with its creamy and decadent texture and sweet, nutty flavour. It is packed with milk solids that transform into brown butter when cooked, adding a toasty flavour to the sandwich. However, butter can burn easily and requires careful timing to ensure that it does not burn before the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
Mayonnaise, on the other hand, is a more recent trend for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is a spread made from oil, acid (such as vinegar or lemon juice), and egg. It has a similar fat content to butter but is spreadable straight from the fridge and has a higher smoke point, making it less likely to burn. Mayonnaise also helps the bread brown evenly and creates a crunchy texture when bitten into. Celebrities like Joanna Gaines, Antoni Porowski, and Martha Stewart swear by mayonnaise as the secret to their grilled cheese sandwiches.
Some people prefer the traditional flavour of butter and find that mayonnaise adds an unwanted tangy or acidic flavour to the sandwich. However, others appreciate the tanginess of mayonnaise and find that it provides a more consistent coating on the bread, resulting in a more evenly toasted sandwich.
Ultimately, the choice between butter and mayonnaise for a grilled cheese sandwich comes down to personal preference. Both options have their pros and cons, and some people even choose to use a combination of both for the best of both worlds.
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Additional ingredients
While the classic grilled cheese sandwich is made with just cheese, butter, and bread, there are endless ways to experiment with additional ingredients.
One option is to add vegetables. Sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, and roasted tomatoes can all be delicious additions to a grilled cheese sandwich. If you're feeling particularly gourmet, try adding thinly sliced apples or a slather of fig jam to a mix of Gruyere and brie cheese. Pickled red onions, pickled radishes, or pickled jalapeños can also add a fun pop of flavor.
Meat can also be added to a grilled cheese sandwich. One source suggests that a sandwich with 2 slices of bread, 1/2 oz butter, 1 oz bacon, 2 oz cheese, and 1 oz tomato would still be considered a grilled cheese, as cheese is still the primary ingredient. However, if the amount of cheese is reduced to 1 oz and the amount of bacon is increased to 2 oz, it would be considered a "bacon melt."
If you're looking for a more complex flavor profile, try adding condiments and spices. Pesto, mustard, and mayonnaise can all enhance the flavor of a grilled cheese sandwich. For a Greek-inspired sandwich, try adding garlic, spinach, and feta, or for a spicier option, add jalapeños.
Finally, while the type of cheese may be a matter of personal preference, some sources recommend using a combination of cheeses for the best flavor and melting quality. Mozzarella, for example, has excellent melting properties but a mild flavor, so it can be combined with a cheese that has a stronger flavor, like vintage cheddar or Gruyere.
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Frequently asked questions
A grilled cheese sandwich is a hot cheese sandwich made by heating slices of cheese between slices of bread with a cooking fat such as butter or mayonnaise on a frying pan, griddle, or sandwich toaster.
You can use any type of cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich. However, some popular options include cheddar, American cheese, mozzarella, and Gruyère.
You can use any type of sliced bread for a grilled cheese sandwich, although you should ensure the slices are not too thick, thin, soft, or holey. Some popular options include sourdough and white bread.
