Bushra Griffith
Grilled cheese is a popular, quick, and easy meal that can be made with a variety of breads and cheeses. The classic combination is sliced American cheese with white bread, but some variations include sourdough or French bread with mild or sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyere, or a blend. To make a grilled cheese, butter is spread on the bread, which is then placed butter-side down in a hot skillet. Once the bread is lightly browned, it is flipped and cooked until the cheese is melted. People often enjoy grilled cheese with tomato-based soups and stews.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | White sandwich bread, sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, gluten-free non-GMO homemade 9-grain bread |
| Cheese | Cheddar, mozzarella, American, Gruyere, Parmesan, mild, medium, sharp |
| Extras | Mayonnaise, garlic powder, turkey breast, shaved tomatoes, salt and pepper |
| Texture | Crispy, salty, buttery exterior with oozy, molten cheese inside |
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What You'll Learn
Grilled Cheese: A Comfort Food Classic
Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and even easier to enjoy. The basic recipe is simple: buttered bread and cheese, grilled to perfection. But there are endless variations and combinations to explore, making grilled cheese a versatile dish that can be tailored to any taste.
At its core, a grilled cheese sandwich is a simple combination of bread, butter, and cheese. The bread is buttered on one side and placed butter-side down in a hot skillet. Cheese is then melted between the bread slices, and the sandwich is grilled until the bread is golden brown and crispy. This classic combination is a crowd-pleaser, and for many, it is a nostalgic taste of childhood.
While the basic recipe calls for white bread and American or cheddar cheese, there are endless possibilities for customization. Sourdough, brioche, or even ciabatta can be used instead of white bread, as long as the loaf is sturdy enough to handle the heat. For the cheese, a blend of mild and sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or a flavoured cheese like vintage cheddar or gruyere can take your sandwich to the next level.
For those who want to get creative, grilled cheese can be personalized with different combinations of cheeses or by adding extra ingredients. Some popular additions include sliced tomatoes, shaved turkey breast, garlic powder, and even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. However, some purists insist that a true grilled cheese sandwich should only include bread, butter, and cheese, with any additional ingredients qualifying it as a "melt".
Grilled cheese is a quick, easy, and delicious comfort food that can be enjoyed fresh off the skillet or even later as a leftover. It is a versatile dish that can be paired with various sides, although it goes especially well with tomato-based soups and stews. So, the next time you're craving something warm, cheesy, and comforting, why not try whipping up a grilled cheese sandwich? It's a classic for a reason!
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The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- Butter
- Bread (white sandwich bread, sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, or any bread of your choice)
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, American, gruyere, Monterey Jack, colby, swiss, or any cheese of your choice)
- Optional extras: mayonnaise, garlic powder, shaved turkey breast, prosciutto, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, jalapeños, sliced ham, etc.
Instructions
- Butter your bread: Spread butter on one or both sides of your bread slices. You can also use mayonnaise or olive oil instead of butter. For extra flavour, sprinkle garlic powder or fresh herbs like rosemary on the buttered side of the bread.
- Add cheese: Place a slice of cheese on top of the buttered side of one slice of bread. You can use a single type of cheese or a combination of cheeses for extra flavour and the perfect cheese pull.
- Assemble the sandwich: Place another slice of bread on top of the cheese, with the buttered side facing up if you only buttered one side.
- Grill the sandwich: Heat a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the bottom slice is lightly browned. Flip the sandwich and continue cooking until the cheese is melted and the other slice of bread is browned.
- Serve and enjoy: Cut the sandwich in half and serve it hot. Grilled cheese sandwiches go well with tomato-based soups, ketchup, or even a creamy tomato soup for dipping.
Feel free to experiment with different types of bread and cheese to find your favourite combination. You can also add extra ingredients like meat or vegetables to create a heartier sandwich. Enjoy the ultimate comfort food!
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Creative Grilled Cheese: Beyond the Basic Sandwich
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular comfort food, and while the classic combination of bread and cheese is delicious, there are endless creative variations to try.
Bread
The classic grilled cheese is made with white bread, but there are many other options to choose from. Sourdough is a popular choice, as it adds a tangy flavour to the sandwich. Other options include whole wheat, rye, potato bread, and even brioche. It's important to choose a bread that is soft yet sturdy and no more than about 1/2-inch thick.
Butter and Mayonnaise
Butter and mayonnaise are essential for creating a crispy, golden exterior on your grilled cheese. Some people prefer to use butter, while others swear by mayonnaise. Still, others use a combination of both. Mayonnaise gives the sandwich a delicate, crispy bite that you can't get from butter alone, and it doesn't affect the taste.
Cheese
There are endless possibilities when it comes to cheese. While American and cheddar are classic options, you can use any type of cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, gouda, havarti, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack. For a more complex flavour, try a combination of cheeses, such as Gruyère and raclette, or Gruyère and cheddar. If you're feeling adventurous, try a mix of Gruyere and brie with thinly sliced apples or fig jam.
Extras
To take your grilled cheese to the next level, try adding some extras like caramelized onions, pickled jalapeños, roasted red peppers, or sautéed spinach. If you're feeling indulgent, add some prosciutto or crispy bacon.
Dipping Sauces
Grilled cheese is often served with a dipping sauce, such as tomato soup or a specialty sauce like Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Soup.
Grilled cheese is a versatile and creative dish that can be adapted to suit any taste. Whether you stick to the classic or experiment with new ingredients, it's a comforting and delicious option.
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Grilled Cheese: Tips and Tricks for Perfection
Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish that's easy to make and even easier to adapt to your taste preferences. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, it's a recipe you'll come back to again and again. Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve grilled cheese perfection.
Choosing the Right Bread and Cheese
The classic choice for grilled cheese is plain white sandwich bread, but you can use any type of bread you like, including sourdough, brioche, or ciabatta. Just make sure the loaf is sturdy enough to handle the heat—thinly sliced, delicate breads will fall apart. For the cheese, the classic options are sliced American or mild, sharp, or a blend of Cheddar. Other popular choices include Gruyere, Brie, Fontina, Gouda, Pepper Jack, and Havarti.
Preparing the Bread
Butter the bread on one side, or use mayonnaise for extra flavour. You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on the buttered/mayo side of the bread before placing it in the skillet for an extra flavour boost.
Cooking the Sandwich
Place the bread butter-side down in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the cheese, then place another slice of bread on top, butter-side up. Cook until the bottom slice is lightly browned, then flip and continue cooking until the cheese is melted. For an even crispier sandwich, toast both sides of the bread before adding the cheese. To avoid a soggy sandwich, let it rest in an elevated position for a few minutes after cooking to allow steam to escape.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious on their own, but they also pair particularly well with tomato-based soups and stews.
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A Historical Perspective on Grilled Cheese
The grilled cheese sandwich is a simple yet delicious combination of bread and cheese. While the idea of combining these two ingredients likely dates back to ancient times, the grilled cheese sandwich as we know it today is believed to have originated in the United States during the 1920s. This decade saw the invention of the bread slicer by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, making sliced bread easily accessible and affordable. Around the same time, processed cheese, pioneered by James L. Kraft, was gaining popularity. These innovations made the grilled cheese sandwich a convenient, cost-effective meal for families.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the grilled cheese sandwich became a staple for many Americans due to its inexpensive ingredients. It continued to be a popular meal during World War II, when it was included in government-issued cookbooks for Navy cooks as the "American Cheese Filling Sandwich". These early grilled cheese sandwiches were often prepared open-faced, with grated cheese on top of a single slice of bread.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the grilled cheese sandwich started to appear in schools and households, becoming a favourite among children. It was during this post-war period that Kraft Foods introduced Kraft Singles, individually wrapped slices of processed cheese, which became available in supermarkets in 1965. This innovation led to the addition of a second slice of bread, transforming the grilled cheese into a closed sandwich and giving it the substance that we associate with it today.
It was not until the 1960s that the term "grilled cheese" began to be used in print, replacing the previous names of "toasted cheese" or "melted cheese" sandwiches. The grilled cheese sandwich has since become a classic comfort food, with countless variations and ingredient options. It has appeared on film, been featured on restaurant menus, and continues to be a popular choice for people of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need bread, butter, and cheese. You can use any type of bread, but it should be sturdy enough to handle the heat. For the cheese, a combination of mozzarella and a flavored cheese like cheddar or gruyere works well.
Butter one side of a slice of bread and place it butter-side down in a hot skillet. Add cheese, then place another slice of bread on top (butter-side up). Cook until the bottom slice is lightly browned, then flip. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
Grilled cheese sandwiches pair particularly well with tomato-based soups and stews.
