Glorious Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
More than comfort food—hot off the pan grilled cheese sandwiches satisfy the soul and nourish the body. The melty layers of cheese and crispy toasted bread tantalize both kids and adults. Although the sandwiches are simple, we’re offering you some tips to make them even better. Keep reading. You’ll learn how to upgrade your grilled cheese from good to great!
Bread—forms the foundation.
The foundation of your sandwich, bread, matters. It holds everything together. Select firm-textured bread with an even-grain and slice it about 1/2-inch thick (or have the bakery slice it). Sourdough, whole wheat, marbled rye or rustic Italian breads usually work well. Avoid wimpy, bendy breads that allow your sandwich to collapse, overly thick breads that prevent the cheese from melting and breads with large holes that allow the cheese to escape.
Cheese—doesn’t just go in the sandwich, it makes the sandwich.
Choose a cheese that melts well. You can use American cheese–it’s a classic. But it may be time to up your game. Cheeses with adequate moisture and lower melting points, such as fontina, Gouda, mild or sharp cheddar (avoid extra sharp), Gruyère, Comté, Muenster, provolone, Raclette, Taleggio, Swiss, Havarti or any of the Jack cheeses, make terrific choices. Fresh cheeses such as feta or Cotija, or aged cheeses like Parmesan or Asiago won’t melt well. You can add a bit of them to punch up the flavor—just be sure you have adequate melting cheese for that ooey, gooey, satisfying cheese experience.
Cooking—melds it together.
Have patience during cooking–use low to medium heat. And pop a lid over your sandwich while it cooks. It traps the heat, helping the cheese to melt more quickly than simple surface heat and ensures the bread and cheese are done at the same time. Skillet lids work great, but if you’re cooking on a griddle, cover with a pan, baking sheet or heat-resistant bowl. Making grilled cheese is easy, but it takes a little time to cajole the bread to crispy perfection and transform the cheese into gooey glory.
Inspiration—improve your grilled cheese game with these ideas.
Some of our favorite sandwiches include:
Fig and Crispy Prosciutto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Fresh Tomato and Herb Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
