Bushra Griffith
Grilled cheese is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of cheeses, depending on personal preference. While some prefer the classic mild or medium cheddar for its meltability and gooey texture, others experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella, gouda, or even blue cheese. The key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is not only the cheese but also the bread, butter, and additional ingredients used to enhance the flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, Ciabatta, White bread, Loaf |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, Cheddar, Gruyère, Havarti, Gouda, Brie, Muenster, Fontina, Monterey Jack, Swiss, American |
| Cheese type | Shredded, sliced, grated |
| Cheese texture | Mild, semi-hard, soft, medium, young, medium-aged, hard |
| Cheese flavour | Tangy, nutty, sweet, mild, buttery, spicy |
| Cheese combinations | Mozzarella with a flavoured cheese, mild cheese with rosemary butter, mild cheese with tangy bread, mild cheese with something more tangy like goat cheese, blue cheese with Havarti, young gouda with medium-aged gouda, mild cheese with complementary fillings, American with cheddar or Monterey Jack, Monterey Jack with cheddar or American, Havarti with sautéed peppers and onions, Havarti with turkey and cranberry, cheddar with Gruyère, gouda with American, mozzarella with tomatoes and pesto, brie with cherry jam |
| Butter | Salted, softened |
| Extras | Mustard, sliced apple, sweet-tangy jam, mayonnaise, bacon, caramelized onions, spicy mayo, buffalo chicken, pulled pork, chopped kimchi, pickled jalapeños, broccoli rabe, spinach, artichoke hearts, lobster, avocado, mushrooms, truffle oil, arugula, honey, hot honey |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella and a flavoured cheese, like vintage cheddar or Gruyère
For a delicious grilled cheese, a combination of mozzarella and a flavoured cheese like vintage cheddar or Gruyère is a great option. Mozzarella has an excellent melt and a non-greasy texture, but its flavour is very mild, so it's best to combine it with a stronger cheese. Cheddar is a popular choice for grilled cheese, as it has a stronger flavour and melts well, especially if it's a medium or mild cheddar. A vintage cheddar will add a sharp tang to your grilled cheese. Gruyère, a semi-hard Alpine cheese, is another excellent choice for grilled cheese. It has a nutty, warm, sweet flavour and melts beautifully due to its high water-to-oil ratio.
When making a grilled cheese, it's important to grate your own cheese, as pre-grated cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. You'll also want to use a sturdy bread, such as sourdough or Ciabatta, that can stand up to the cheese and any additional toppings without becoming too soggy.
For a classic grilled cheese, you can't go wrong with American cheese, which has a superior melting ability and a mild flavour. If you're looking for something a little more complex, try combining two or more cheeses, such as mozzarella and vintage cheddar, or mozzarella and Gruyère. You can also experiment with adding toppings like sliced apple, spicy mayo, or fancy mustard.
Grilled cheese is a versatile dish that can be adapted to your taste preferences and what you have on hand. So feel free to get creative and experiment with different cheeses and toppings to find your perfect combination!
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Mild cheeses, like American or Monterey Jack
Mild cheeses, such as American or Monterey Jack, are excellent choices for grilled cheese sandwiches. American cheese, despite being processed, is perfect for a classic grilled cheese. Its superior melting ability and gooey texture make it a great addition to the sandwich. It also comes pre-packaged and portioned into individual slices, making it convenient for layering. When using American cheese, it is best to pair it with another cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, for a more flavourful sandwich.
Monterey Jack is a semi-hard, white cow's milk cheese with a mild, buttery flavour and excellent melting properties. It is a popular choice for quesadillas due to its ability to create a great cheese pull when cut in half, and it translates well to grilled cheese sandwiches. For a tasty combination, try pairing it with cheddar or American cheese, and add fillings like buffalo chicken, pulled pork, or chopped kimchi for a more complex sandwich. If you're feeling adventurous, add a few pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
For those who prefer a more basic grilled cheese sandwich, Monterey Jack is a great choice. However, if you're looking for something a little more unique, opt for Pepper Jack cheese. This variety adds a spicy kick to your sandwich, combining the buttery taste and creamy texture of Monterey Jack with the spice of red pepper.
When creating the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, it is essential to consider the bread and butter used in addition to the cheese. Sourdough or Ciabatta bread provides a sturdy base, while buttering both sides of the bread ensures a golden crunch. To elevate your sandwich further, try using rosemary butter instead of regular butter to amplify the flavours.
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Semi-hard Alpine cheeses, like Gruyère or Appenzeller
Appenzeller, another semi-hard Alpine cheese, is also recommended for grilled cheese. This cheese is similar in nature to Gruyère, with a sweet and nutty flavour, and is a well-known melter, often used in fondue.
When making a grilled cheese sandwich with these cheeses, it is important to use sturdy bread, such as sourdough or Ciabatta, to complement the cheese and stand up to the melting process. It is also recommended to grate your own cheese, as store-bought pre-grated cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting properly.
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Goat cheese with something mild
For a grilled cheese sandwich, it is recommended to use mild cheeses to establish a taste foundation. This allows the opportunity to introduce flavours elsewhere, such as in the bread, butter, or even a complementary component such as bisque or jelly. For instance, goat cheese, which has a tangy flavour, can be paired with a mild cheese to get a great cheese pull without overwhelming the delicate nuances of the goat cheese.
A few mild cheeses that can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches are listed below:
- American cheese is perfect for a classic grilled cheese. It has superior melting ability and a gooey texture. It has a mild flavour and is pre-packaged and portioned in individual slices for easy layering.
- Monterey Jack is a semi-hard, white cow's milk cheese with a mild, buttery flavour and melts well. It gives a great cheese pull when cut in half.
- Havarti is an ultra-creamy cheese that melts well in a grilled cheese sandwich without any of the oily separation that can occur with other cheeses.
- Mozzarella is a good option for its cheese pull and non-greasy melting qualities. However, since mozzarella has a very mild flavour, it should be combined with a flavoured cheese.
- Muenster is another excellent melting cheese that can be added to a grilled cheese sandwich.
- Fontina is a mild cow's milk cheese from Italy that melts really well, creating a gooey, stringy cheese pull.
Therefore, goat cheese can be paired with any of the above-mentioned mild cheeses to make a grilled cheese sandwich.
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Blue cheese and Havarti
When it comes to crafting the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich, the cheese you choose can make all the difference. While there are numerous varieties to consider, combining blue cheese and Havarti offers a unique and delectable experience. Here's why this duo belongs in your grilled cheese creation.
Blue Cheese: A Bold and Tangy Surprise
Blue cheese is renowned for its bold and pungent flavour profile. While it may be too intense as the primary cheese in your sandwich, when paired with a milder counterpart like Havarti, it adds a delightful kick. Its creamy, tangy, and mellow attributes shine through, creating a well-rounded taste sensation.
Havarti: The Creamy, Melty Masterpiece
Havarti is a cheese lover's dream come true. Created in the mid-1800s by a cheesemaker seeking an ultra-creamy variety, Havarti delivers on its promise. Its exceptionally creamy texture and mild flavour make it the ideal companion for stronger-tasting cheeses like blue cheese. When melted, Havarti provides a smooth and luscious mouthfeel, ensuring your grilled cheese sandwich is nothing short of indulgent.
The Dynamic Duo in Action
Combining blue cheese and Havarti in a grilled cheese sandwich is a match made in culinary heaven. The boldness of blue cheese is beautifully balanced by the mildness of Havarti, resulting in a sandwich that is both flavourful and indulgently creamy. This pairing allows you to savour the best of both worlds without overwhelming your palate.
Recipe Recommendations:
- Honey Havarti Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese: Spread a thin layer of honey on each slice of bread, then top with Havarti, tomato, basil, and another layer of Havarti. Grill in a pan over medium heat until golden on both sides.
- Blue Cheese and Havarti with Prosciutto: Try a combination of blue cheese and Havarti on fruited bread with fig jam and prosciutto slices. For an extra touch, add some finely chopped rosemary.
- Open-Faced Hot Honey and Ham: For a decadent open-faced treat, pair Havarti with Gouda, honey, and ham. This sandwich is a flavour explosion.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options when it comes to choosing the best cheese for grilled cheese, but meltability and flavour are key considerations. Cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and brie are all popular choices.
While high-quality, traditional cheddar is better for crumbling and snacking, mild or medium cheddar is perfect for melting and achieving that classic gooey grilled cheese.
If you're looking for an alternative to cheddar, consider using a blend of cheeses such as gouda and havarti, or gouda and monterey jack.
In addition to choosing the right cheese, there are a few other tips for making grilled cheese:
- Use shredded cheese or thin slices of softer cheese to ensure even melting.
- Spread mayonnaise on the outside of each slice of bread and cook at a low heat in butter for an even golden, crispy crust.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or waffle iron for the best results.
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