Frederic Melton
Grilled cheese is a classic, but there's always room for improvement. The secret to a better grilled cheese sandwich is mayonnaise. Instead of butter, spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread before frying. This will give your sandwich a rich, golden brown exterior with a crispy, crunchy texture and a slightly tangy flavor. It's also less likely to burn, so you can cook over a slightly higher heat for a crispier crust and a fluffier interior. You can even add extra flavor to the exterior of your sandwich by using flavored mayonnaise—try garlic or basil, or dredge the bread in grated cheese like Parmesan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Light, tangy flavour that complements the cheese and bread |
| Texture | Crispy, crunchy, rich, golden brown exterior |
| Ease | Mayo has a higher smoke point than butter, so it's more foolproof |
| Customisation | Can be combined with butter, garlic, pesto, or cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Mayonnaise creates a rich, golden brown exterior
Frying grilled cheese in mayonnaise is a simple trick to elevate your sandwich game. Instead of butter, coat the outside of your sandwich bread with mayonnaise before pan-frying it. This creates a rich, golden brown exterior with a perfectly crisp and crunchy texture.
The key to achieving this mouth-watering result lies in the ingredients used to make mayonnaise. The creamy texture of mayonnaise comes from whipping egg yolks and oil. When spread on the bread and heated, the mayonnaise forms a delightfully crispy crust, enhancing the flavour of the sandwich.
Mayonnaise also offers a flavour advantage over butter. Its light, tangy flavour complements the cheese and bread without overpowering them. This allows the taste buds to fully savour the individual ingredients of the sandwich.
Additionally, mayonnaise has a higher smoke point than butter, which means it doesn't burn as easily. This makes the cooking process more foolproof, as you can cook the sandwich over slightly higher heat without worrying about burning the bread.
For those who can't decide between mayonnaise and butter, you can have the best of both worlds by using a combination of the two. Simply spread mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich and add a small tab of butter to the skillet before placing the sandwich in it. This way, you get the crispy, golden exterior from the mayonnaise and the delicious buttery flavour from the butter.
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It has a higher smoke point than butter
Frying grilled cheese in mayonnaise instead of butter has gained popularity, with celebrity chefs endorsing the method. One of the main reasons for this is that mayonnaise has a higher smoke point than butter. This means that the exterior of the sandwich is less likely to burn, allowing the bread to brown without burning and reducing the risk of setting off the smoke alarm.
Mayonnaise, being a combination of oil, egg, and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, has a higher smoke point than butter due to its composition. The oil content in mayonnaise is higher than that of butter, and oil generally has a higher smoke point. This makes mayonnaise a good choice for achieving a golden brown crust on grilled cheese without burning it.
The smoke point of a fat or oil is the temperature at which it begins to break down and produce smoke. When butter is heated above its smoke point, it can burn and negatively impact the flavor of the dish. Mayonnaise, with its higher smoke point, reduces the likelihood of burning and provides a larger temperature range to work with when frying grilled cheese.
Additionally, the egg yolks in mayonnaise also contribute to its higher smoke point. Egg yolks have a smoke point above 300°F, which is significantly higher than that of butter. This further contributes to the reduced risk of burning when using mayonnaise.
Using mayonnaise instead of butter can be a useful technique to achieve a perfectly browned grilled cheese sandwich without worrying about burning. It offers a larger temperature window and a lower risk of setting off smoke alarms, making it a convenient and effective alternative to butter.
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It adds a tangy, slightly garlicky flavour
Frying grilled cheese in mayonnaise is a great way to add a tangy, slightly garlicky flavour to your sandwich. While it may seem unusual, using mayonnaise instead of butter to fry grilled cheese is a simple trick that can take your sandwich to the next level.
The key to this method is to spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread before frying. This creates a delicious, crispy crust that is perfectly browned and crunchy. The mayonnaise adds a tangy and slightly garlicky flavour that enhances the taste of the cheese and bread.
To add a more pronounced garlicky flavour, you can mix in some minced garlic with the mayonnaise. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try using flavoured mayonnaise, such as garlic or basil. This will further enhance the garlicky notes and create an even more unique flavour profile for your grilled cheese.
In addition to the flavour benefits, using mayonnaise instead of butter can also lead to a crispier sandwich. This is because the ingredients in store-bought mayonnaise have a higher smoke point than butter, reducing the chances of burning and allowing you to cook over slightly higher heat.
So, if you're looking for a new twist on the classic grilled cheese, frying it in mayonnaise is definitely worth trying! The tangy, slightly garlicky flavour can elevate your sandwich and provide a delightful culinary experience.
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It's a simple, effective way to elevate a grilled cheese sandwich
Frying a grilled cheese sandwich in mayonnaise is an effective way to elevate a simple grilled cheese sandwich. It is a simple trick that can take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level.
The biggest benefit of using mayonnaise instead of butter is that it simply doesn't burn as easily. The ingredients in store-bought mayonnaise have a higher smoke point than butter, which means your grilled cheese is more foolproof. You can cook the sandwich over slightly higher heat for a crispier exterior and a fluffier interior. The mayonnaise browns nicely, creating a delicious, rich, golden brown, and crunchy crust with a tangy flavour. It is also a good way to ensure that the cheese is evenly melted.
Mayonnaise's light, tangy flavour also means that your taste buds can fully appreciate the flavours of your cheese and bread choices. The creamy texture of mayonnaise comes from whipping egg yolks and oil. The only rule of thumb is that you must use a full-fat, traditional mayo. Reduced-fat and light mayonnaises have a higher water content, which can lead to a soggy sandwich.
You can also kick things up a notch by using flavoured mayonnaise. You could use garlic or basil mayonnaise, or even blend in a tablespoon or two of pesto for a bright herbal flavour. You could also dredge the bread in grated cheese like Parmesan or Cotija to recreate the flavour of grilled street corn.
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It's a great way to avoid a burnt sandwich
Frying a grilled cheese sandwich in mayonnaise is a great way to avoid a burnt sandwich. The ingredients in store-bought mayonnaise have a higher smoke point than butter, which means your grilled cheese is less likely to burn. This makes the cooking process more foolproof, as you can cook the sandwich over slightly higher heat without worrying about burning it.
Mayonnaise also adds a tangy, rich flavour to the sandwich and creates a crispy, crunchy texture. It is a simple substitution, as you just need to spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter before frying. This method can be used with a variety of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, pepper jack, gruyere, and brie, and can be customised with additions like garlic, pesto, or mustard.
Some people may be hesitant to try this method due to the idea of hot mayonnaise being off-putting. However, using store-bought mayonnaise in hot dishes is perfectly safe and can even enhance the flavour of the sandwich. The mayonnaise will create a delicious, crispy crust without burning as easily as butter, making it a great option for those who struggle with achieving the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
Additionally, mayonnaise has a lighter flavour than butter, allowing the taste of the cheese and bread to shine through. While butter can sometimes overpower the other ingredients with its richness, mayonnaise provides a tangier alternative that complements the sandwich without being too heavy. This makes it a great choice for those who want to fully appreciate the flavours of their grilled cheese sandwich.
Overall, frying a grilled cheese sandwich in mayonnaise is a great way to avoid burning the sandwich and create a delicious, crispy crust. With its higher smoke point, simple preparation, and flavour-enhancing qualities, it's no wonder that this method has gained popularity among grilled cheese enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
Mayonnaise has a higher smoke point than butter, which means it doesn't burn as easily. This allows you to cook the sandwich over slightly higher heat, resulting in a crispier exterior and fluffier interior.
It is recommended to use a full-fat, traditional mayonnaise. Reduced-fat and light mayonnaises have a higher water content, which can lead to a soggy sandwich.
Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside of the bread, then place the sandwich in a skillet, mayonnaise-side down. Spread mayonnaise on the other side of the sandwich as well, and place it mayonnaise-side up in the skillet.
