Andy Montoya
The grilled cheese sandwich is a staple of the American diet, but it wasn't until the late 1960s that it was called by that name. During the Great Depression, people needed cheap, convenient, and filling food, and the grilled cheese sandwich—then known as the Cheese Dream, toasted cheese, or melted cheese—fit the bill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Cheese Dream, Toasted Cheese, Melted Cheese Sandwich, Grilled Cheese |
| Origin | United States |
| Main Ingredients | Bread, Cheese |
| Toppings | Tomatoes, Eggs, Pineapple, Bacon |
| Preparation Method | Fried, Broiled |
| Popularity | 1920s, 1930s, 1960s |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cheese Dream was the original name
The grilled cheese sandwich has become a staple of the American diet, but its history can be traced back to the Great Depression era in the United States. During this time, people were looking for ways to stretch their food budgets, and the grilled cheese was a cheap and convenient option. It was also quite filling, making it a popular choice for those struggling during the economic crisis.
The original grilled cheese was an open-faced sandwich, also known as a "Cheese Dream". It was made with a single slice of bread and a slice of cheese, fried or broiled until the cheese was browned and puffy. This simple yet comforting dish provided much-needed nutrition for those who could afford little else. The name "Cheese Dream" evokes the idea of a comforting meal, a dream-like escape from the harsh realities of the Depression.
The "Cheese Dream" was a variation of similar dishes that had existed for centuries. For example, the French had a similar dish listed on their menus in the early 1900s as "Croque Monsieur", which included toasted bread, melted cheese, and ham. The Romans also enjoyed bread and cheese together, as directed in their ancient cookbooks. However, it was during the Great Depression that this dish took on a new name and became widely popular in the United States.
The "Cheese Dream" eventually evolved into the closed-faced sandwich we know today as the grilled cheese. People began adding a second slice of bread to make the meal more filling. This change may have been influenced by the introduction of machine-sliced bread, which became popular during the Great Depression as thinner slices meant more slices per loaf. By adding another slice, people could still enjoy their "Cheese Dream" while also saving a piece of bread for later.
It wasn't until the 1960s that the sandwich officially became known as the "grilled cheese". This name change coincided with the rise in popularity of Kraft processed cheese slices and bagged sliced bread, making the ingredients more uniform and convenient for home cooks. The grilled cheese had become a cultural phenomenon, with cookbooks and restaurants offering various recipes and innovations beyond the classic American cheese and white bread.
Grilled Cheese: Ultimate Topping Guide for the Classic Sandwich
You may want to see also
Toasted cheese was another name
The grilled cheese sandwich has been a staple of American cuisine for decades, but its exact origin remains a mystery. While the combination of bread and cheese has existed for centuries, it was during the Great Depression that this dish rose to popularity as an affordable and convenient meal.
During this time, the dish was known as "toasted cheese", "melted cheese", or "toasted cheese sandwiches". It was often prepared as an open-faced sandwich, with one slice of bread and one slice of cheese fried or broiled until the cheese was browned and puffy. This variation was called the "'Cheese Dream', a name that evoked the difficult yet innovative spirit of the era.
The grilled cheese sandwich of the Great Depression era was a far cry from the classic slice of American cheese on white bread that we know today. In its earliest form, it was made with grated American cheese and various toppings, including tomatoes, eggs, pineapple, and bacon. It was a filling and nutritious option for those who could afford little else. The open-faced style also served a practical purpose, as it saved a piece of bread for later—a valuable consideration during times of scarcity.
The evolution of the grilled cheese sandwich continued as people eventually added a second slice of bread to make the meal more substantial. This transformation from an open-faced sandwich to a closed sandwich is a key step in the development of the modern grilled cheese. It is also worth noting that machine-sliced bread, introduced in the US in 1928, became widely popular during the Great Depression, as thinner slices meant more slices per loaf.
While the grilled cheese sandwich has undergone changes over the years, its fundamental appeal remains unchanged. It is a simple yet comforting dish that can be found on menus across the country, from casual luncheonettes to fine-dining restaurants. The story of the grilled cheese is a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to create something delicious and enduring, even in the most challenging of times.
Grilled Cheese: Mayo Healthier Option or Lip-Smacking Indulgence?
You may want to see also
Melted cheese was also used
The "Cheese Dream" was also similar to the French "Croque Monsieur", which was listed on French menus in the early 1900s as toasted bread, melted cheese, and ham. The Romans also had a similar dish, where they ate bread and cheese together for dinner.
The grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today, with two slices of bread, was eventually created to make the meal more filling. During World War II, the grilled cheese sandwich was a favourite of the Allied Armed Forces, and it became a regular meal for school cafeterias and housewives. It wasn't until the 1960s that the sandwich became known as the "grilled cheese", and it started to appear on menus as such.
Perfect Grilled Cheese: Griddle Temperature Tips
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was an open-faced sandwich
The grilled cheese sandwich was originally an open-faced sandwich called the "Cheese Dream", which became popular in the US during the Great Depression. It was made with one slice of bread and one slice of cheese, fried or broiled until the cheese was browned and puffy. This simple yet comforting dish was a staple for poor Americans in the 1930s, providing them with enough nutrition to get by during a difficult economic period.
While the idea of combining bread and cheese likely dates back to ancient times, the Great Depression era saw the rise of the "Cheese Dream" as a named dish. Before the Depression, people had enjoyed similar dishes like Welsh rarebit, but it was during this period of hardship that the open-faced grilled cheese gained prominence as an affordable and convenient meal. It could be made quickly and easily by both vendors and families, and it was quite filling.
The term "Cheese Dream" evokes the American dream, a concept that may have resonated with people during this challenging time. The dish was also known as a “toasted cheese sandwich” or a "melted cheese sandwich". These names reflect the cooking method, as the bread was toasted or fried, and the cheese was melted. The open-faced style also had practical benefits, as it saved a piece of bread for later—a valuable consideration during the food scarcity of the Great Depression.
While the "Cheese Dream" was typically made with just bread and cheese, some popular toppings included tomatoes, eggs, pineapple, and bacon. Eventually, people started adding a second slice of bread to make the sandwich more filling. This evolution from an open-faced sandwich to a closed sandwich with two slices of bread transformed the "Cheese Dream" into the grilled cheese sandwich we know today.
It is worth noting that the term "grilled cheese" itself only became widely used in the 1960s. Before that, the sandwich was often simply called a "melted cheese" or "toasted cheese" sandwich. The delay in adopting the name "grilled cheese" may be due to regional variations in cooking methods and terminology, as well as the influence of soldiers returning from World War II, where grilled cheese was a staple for the Allied Armed Forces.
Grilled Halloumi: Is This the Ultimate Cheesy Delight?
You may want to see also
Popularity grew during the Great Depression
The popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches can be traced back to the Great Depression era in the United States. During this time, people were looking for ways to stretch their food budgets, and grilled cheese was affordable and convenient. It could be made quickly and was quite filling. The poor used these two ingredients to feed themselves during the Great Depression.
Before the Great Depression, people had been eating bread and cheese together for centuries. The French had it listed on their menus in the early 1900s as "Croque Monsieur", which is toasted bread, melted cheese, and ham. The Romans also directed people to eat bread and cheese together for dinner. However, it was during the Great Depression that this combination took off as a popular dish in the US.
During the Great Depression, grilled cheese sandwiches were originally made open-faced with grated American cheese. Popular toppings included tomatoes, eggs, pineapple, and bacon. It was called the Cheese Dream, a toasted cheese sandwich, or a melted cheese sandwich. The open-faced sandwich saved a piece of bread for later, and the bread didn't have to be a thin slice. Eventually, people began adding another slice of bread on top to make the meal more filling.
The grilled cheese sandwich was also a cost-effective meal for the US military during World War II. The name "American Cheese Filling Sandwich" was printed in government-issued cookbooks for the US Navy. After World War II, the cheese company Kraft Foods developed the first pre-packed sliced cheese, which became convenient and consistent for consumers. It was in the 1960s that the popular sandwich became widely known as the "grilled cheese", although some sources claim it was in the late 1960s.
Grilled Cheese Decoded: 5 Guys' Secret Recipe
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
During the Great Depression, grilled cheese was called the "'Cheese Dream", a "'toasted cheese sandwich', or a "'melted cheese sandwich'.
The Cheese Dream was an open-faced sandwich made from one slice of bread and one slice of cheese that was fried or broiled until the cheese was browned and puffy.
People needed to survive off of cost-effective food during the Great Depression, and grilled cheese was both affordable and convenient.
Grilled cheese was made using inexpensive loaves of bread and processed cheese. Popular toppings included tomatoes, eggs, pineapple, and bacon.
It wasn't until the 1960s that the sandwich became known as the "grilled cheese", presumably as people who ate it during World War II came back and began ordering it at restaurants and diners.
