Andy Montoya
The toasted cheese sandwich is a classic comfort food. But what's the best way to make one? The first decision is the bread: a thicker slice, like Texas toast, or a good sourdough are popular options. Next, the cheese: a combination of two cheeses is often recommended, with one providing the stretch and the other the flavour. Mozzarella is a popular choice for its stretch, while Gruyère, raclette, sharp cheddar, gouda, and vintage cheddar are all recommended for their flavour. Finally, the cooking method: some swear by using a pan, while others prefer a sandwich toaster or jaffle maker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, Texas toast, sliced sandwich bread, loaf |
| Butter | Use a generous 1/2 tbsp of butter on each slice of bread, softened butter |
| Butter alternatives | Mayonnaise, olive oil |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, Gruyère, Raclette, sharp cheddar, gouda, Havarti, Monterey Jack, American, Swiss, Fontina, Halloumi, Emmenthal, Brie |
| Cheese combinations | Mozzarella and gouda, mozzarella and vintage cheddar, medium cheddar, gouda and Havarti, American and pepper jack |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, nutmeg, garlic salt, Dijon mustard |
| Accompaniments | Tomato soup, sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, roasted tomato, jalapeño, onion, toasted |
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What You'll Learn
Use mayonnaise instead of butter
Mayonnaise is a popular alternative to butter for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a similar fat content to butter but can be spread straight from the fridge. Mayonnaise also has a higher smoke point than butter, so it doesn't burn as easily, giving you more time to get the perfect level of browning on your sandwich.
Mayo also helps the bread brown more evenly, creating a crisp crust and a soft texture beneath. It adds a slight tanginess to the flavour of the sandwich, though some people prefer the traditional taste of butter, which has a nutty, toasted flavour when cooked.
If you're using mayonnaise, remember to lower the pan temperature slightly so that it doesn't burn. You can also combine the two by spreading a thin layer of mayo on the outside of the sandwich and adding a small amount of butter to the skillet, or adding butter to the sandwich itself for extra flavour.
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Try different cheeses
The type of cheese you use in your grilled cheese sandwich can make or break the experience. While the classic grilled cheese was made with American cheese, it is now common to experiment with one or more different cheeses.
Mozzarella is a popular choice for its stretchiness and non-greasy melting qualities, but it is often paired with a more flavourful cheese as it has a very mild taste. A good melting cheese with a stronger flavour is Gruyère, which can be grated or sliced. Other recommended melting cheeses include raclette, fontina, gouda, and Swiss cheese. For a nuttier flavour, try sharp cheddar, which also melts beautifully. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even add some blue cheese for extra funk.
For a more complex flavour profile, you could try pairing cheddar with Gruyère or raclette. Both of these Alpine-style Swiss cheeses are salty and nutty with a hint of funk, creating a grilled cheese that's both nostalgic and sophisticated.
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Add vegetables
Adding vegetables to your grilled cheese sandwich is a great way to make it more nutritious and flavourful. Here are some ideas for vegetables that you can include:
Onions
Thin slices of raw onion can be added on top of the cheese before the sandwich is put together. If you prefer a sweeter flavour, you can caramelise the onions first.
Tomatoes
Fresh tomato slices can be added to your grilled cheese sandwich, perhaps with a sprinkle of black pepper or garlic salt. Alternatively, you can serve your grilled cheese sandwich with a side of creamy tomato soup for dunking.
Peppers
Roasted red peppers can be added to your grilled cheese sandwich for a slightly smoky flavour. Alternatively, you could add fresh green peppers, perhaps with some spices, as in chef Maunika Gowardhan's favourite toastie recipe.
Spinach
A handful of sautéed spinach is a great way to add some extra nutrients to your grilled cheese sandwich.
Broccoli
Some chopped steamed broccoli can be a tasty and healthy addition to your grilled cheese sandwich.
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Use a pan, not a sandwich toaster
While sandwich toasters and jaffle makers are convenient, they have a few drawbacks when it comes to making the perfect cheese toastie. The weight of the lid can cause the bread to become squished and flattened, and the cheese may ooze out, limiting the amount you can use.
Using a pan, on the other hand, gives you more control over the cooking process and allows you to achieve the ideal golden, buttery crust. Here's how to do it:
First, choose the right type of bread. Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its tang and texture. Texas toast, a thicker-sliced bread, is another option that works well. Avoid bread that is too thin, soft, or holey, as the cheese may escape.
Next, select your cheese. A combination of two types of cheese is recommended for a richer taste. Mozzarella is a popular choice for its stretch and melting qualities, paired with a flavoured cheese like vintage cheddar, Gruyère, or raclette for extra flavour. Freshly grate your cheese for an even melt.
Now, assemble your sandwich. Instead of butter, spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for a crispier, richer flavour. You can also add Dijon mustard to the inside of one slice. Place your cheese on one slice and cover it with the other, with the mayo side facing out.
Finally, cook your sandwich. Heat butter or oil in a cast-iron skillet or heavy non-stick pan over medium heat. Place your sandwich in the pan and cover it with a lid to trap steam and help melt the cheese. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. Flip and cook the other side. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent overbrowning.
Using a pan allows you to achieve the perfect balance of a crispy, buttery exterior and a molten, oozy cheese interior—the hallmark of a great grilled cheese sandwich.
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Serve with tomato soup
There are many ways to make a toasted cheese sandwich to serve with tomato soup. Here are some ideas:
Classic grilled cheese
A classic grilled cheese sandwich is a perfect pairing with tomato soup. To make this sandwich, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each of two slices of bread. Sprinkle cheese and a little oregano on top of the mayonnaise. Top with the other slices of bread, mayonnaise-side down. You can use mozzarella, which is a mild cheese that lets you taste the bread and butter, or a combination of mozzarella and cheddar. You can also mix Parmesan cheese into the butter for a cheesy exterior. Then, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the sandwich until golden brown on both sides.
Provolone grilled cheese
For a twist on the classic, try a Provolone grilled cheese sandwich. Use two slices of toasted crusty bread and fill them with melty Provolone and mozzarella cheeses, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
Tomato grilled cheese
For a summery take on the grilled cheese, add sliced tomatoes to the sandwich. Spread one slice of bread with mayonnaise and place it, mayonnaise-side down, in a skillet. Smear the same slice with basil pesto. Layer on half of the cheese and top with sliced tomatoes, seasoning with ground black pepper. Add the remaining cheese and the other slice of bread, smearing the top with the remaining mayonnaise. Toast the sandwich for 3-4 minutes on each side over medium heat.
Extra toppings
If you want to get creative, you can add a variety of toppings to your grilled cheese sandwich. Try adding bacon, caramelized onions, or slices of avocado. You can also experiment with different types of bread and cheeses, such as sourdough or ciabatta with Gouda or smoked Gouda.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any sliced bread, but it's important to ensure the slices aren't too thick, thin, soft, or holey. Sourdough is a popular choice, as is Texas toast, which is a thicker sliced bread.
You can use any type of cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or cheddar. Using two types of cheese is recommended for a richer taste, with one cheese for flavour and another for stretch, such as mozzarella.
This is a matter of personal preference. Butter will give your sandwich a crisp, buttery exterior, while mayonnaise will make it crisp without being greasy and will add a slight touch of extra flavour.
You can add vegetables such as sliced onion, spinach, caramelised onions, broccoli, roasted red peppers, or roasted tomatoes. You can also add spices, such as garlic salt or nutmeg, or sauces, such as mustard.
