Grilled cheese has been an American staple in comfort food for decades and, possibly, even longer than that. Many countries have their own twists on the melted sandwich, such as Italy with its panino and the United Kingdom with its toasties. While there are defining qualities that make these different, yet similar, sandwiches, there can only be one grilled cheese and when it comes to comfort foods we can make in our own homes easily, this sandwich is one of the best.
Believe it or not, there are ways to make it even better, though. With most of us spending more time in our own kitchens, it's easy to find ways to elevate our favorite sandwiches, especially when we're craving that cheesy, melted flavor and texture of a classic grilled cheese. There are some who are purists and prefer standard white bread with American cheese, while others are willing to push the envelope in incorporate other ingredients or try new tactics. For both camps of people, we recommend giving these a go.
The Texture Of The Cheese Matters
For starters, slices are great... But it's grated cheese that makes the real difference. We're not talking about grated cheese such as parmesan, but a cheese that has actually been grated or shredded into smaller pieces that melt graciously when met with heat.
This results in a sandwich that can take its time rather than one that's rushing to match its exterior cooking with its interior cooking, as most of us know can be messy (and burnt) business. Grating your cheese first, if you're not using plain 'ol American cheese, can surely help the process.
Upgrade Your Bread To Upgrade The Sandwich
We're sorry, standard white bread lovers, but it's true: swapping out your traditional loaf of bread for one that's a different flavor or style can make all the difference. A thick piece of sourdough can add depth and boldness, while a fluffy piece of ciabatta or focaccia can add richness and texture.
Even trying something flavored, such as garlic naan bread, can be a life-changing experience in terms of grilled cheese. This is a fun process and, plus, it gives you an excuse to go wandering through the bakery aisle in search of the perfect (or multiple) slices or loaves of bread.
Use Multiple Cheeses, Including This Combination, For The Ultimate Flavor Profile
Swapping out American cheese might sound like a big step but trust us, you will be rewarded with layers upon layers of delicious, unimaginable flavor. As a good starter combination, try this one: One slice of American, one slice of muenster, some shredded mozzarella, and fresh chevre goat cheese.
The American cheese serves as the glue to hold the entire sandwich together while the muenster adds a bit of mild flavor and depth. The shredded mozzarella cheese adds a cheesy and stringy texture with a bit of creaminess while the goat cheese packs a punch without being overwhelming, to serve as the final, lasting boldness that grilled cheese so desperately needs.
Put Away The Butter And Smear The Outside With Mayo Instead
We get it, it's tough to part with something that has served us so well. While butter is a tried and true standby of grilled cheese, it's not the only thing with a high oil or fat content that can make a slice of bread toasty. In fact, butter isn't even the most opted-for choice when it comes to many professionals in the field.
Rather, mayo is the spread of choice: the high oil content in this spread helps the bread crisp up and achieve that perfect golden brown color, and, more importantly, does so evenly. While butter will also achieve the same effect, it has a tendency to lead to uneven browning due to the water content and fat solids that compete for browning time.
Add Levels Of Flavor With Spreads And Meat
It's no secret that grilled cheese has become somewhat of a gourmet commodity. Thanks to the addition of meat such as prosciutto and gourmet cheeses, it's no longer a sandwich that's restricted to things you'd find in the dairy aisle at the grocery store. Therefore, take it as a challenge to figure out how to jazz up your next comfort food sandwich. Anything from pickles to tomatoes and even peanut butter, for some, is fair game.
Good ham, turkey, and even tomato jam can make for a brilliant combination and leave you coming back for more. Bacon is an obvious choice, but what about maple bacon or applewood-smoked? The options are endless, so we hope you're hungry.