Comfort food is easy; there's no rhyme or reason to something that's meant to cheer a person up, comfort them on a bad day, or bring a smile to their face. At least it should be easy, anyway, and what's easier than a toasted sandwich?
For some time now, there has been much debate over which toasted sandwich, specifically, is the best, out of versions that hail from the UK, the US, and Italy. Each one has had its fame and while they all continue to be comforting options, not all toasted sandwiches are nearly created the same.
Classic Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is a classic American favorite that combines one or many types of cheese into one melted sandwich. It's not often that many other things adorn this sandwich besides cheese although the occasional slice or two of bacon or tomato might grace its melted interior. There are also no rules when it comes to the types of cheese found in this sandwich and while the original will always be American cheese, the combinations are endless.
There are also sandwiches referred to as 'gourmet' grilled cheese which feature more high-end, expensive types of cheeses, such as fresh chevre or a comté instead of a Swiss. Once things such as meats (excluding bacon) are added to grilled cheese, it starts to become more of a melted sandwich rather than a true grilled cheese. The exterior is also slathered with butter or, pro tip, with mayo, as the oils in the mayo helps to lend the perfect crispness to the outside of the bread.
Warm And Melted Toastie
A toastie is the closest thing to grilled cheese in the UK although it differs in its cooking method as well as ingredients. A toastie starts with two pieces of sliced bread and options for filling can be anything and aren't limited to just cheese. The sandwich is then placed in a toastie press which seals the outsides of the sandwich so that nothing comes oozing out - it's essentially the more clever version of grilled cheese.
The use of a toastie press - usually a Breville - is what truly stands in between grilled cheese and a toastie. The press itself is what gives a toastie its shape and seals edges together in an effort to contain the contents from spilling out (unlike grilled cheese, where that is sometimes the goal). Toasties also usually contain cheese but it's not entirely necessary, as everything is pressed and melted together with or without it. The bread is also an important factor, as it should be sturdy enough to stand up to pressing as well as soft enough that the edges can be sealed together with no chance of seepage.
Slightly Fancier Panini
A panino is an Italian specialty (panini is the plural, meaning more than one panino) and is usually more of a leftovers-type of sandwich, in which anything is place. These are also made with a whole bread roll as opposed to sliced bread which is the major factor separating this from the other two. Ingredients can be anything from steak to cheese and even vegetables and other meats, making this a true pressed-and-melted sandwich. The bread is definitely the foundation of this sandwich, as it's not technically a panino without the use of a whole small roll (such as ciabatta) for pressing purposes. That's not to say that panini can't be made without this - but it won't be a classic, Italian pressed sandwich.
Here, it's not uncommon to see a wide variety of ingredients to create sandwiches. Arugula, steak, and provolone might be one option, while Caprese - tomato, fresh mozzarella, and pesto or basil - might be another. The idea behind a panino is to use up whatever ingredients are in the fridge or may have been leftover from the previous night's dinner, so it's not uncommon to find things such as roasted chicken on a sandwich, either. Cheese is a great addition to a panino but it's not necessary although it will help to bind everything together. Panini is also a great option for wet ingredients or any that need a bit more of a sturdy foundation than just sliced bread, making them the heartiest of toasted sandwiches on here. Whereas grilled cheese or a toastie can be served alongside something like soup, a panino is usually a solid meal on its own given its extra ingredients and how filling the bread can be.
Who Wins?
Essentially, there's no winner when it comes to anything that's delicious, toasted, and full of melted cheese. It depends on the foodie making the sandwich and while these are all great options, there's no one that's better than the other. Sometimes it comes down to appetite and other times it comes down to filling; so the real winner? Trying all three!