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Grilled Cheese
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

A grilled or toasted sandwich consisting of two slices of bread with melted cheese.

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Classics of Comfort Food

  • Nov 26, 2008
  • by
Rating:
+5
I find it continually amazing how drawn I am to this sandwich after so many years. Aside from possibly the peanut butter & jelly, I can't think of a sandwich that I go back so far with. Of course, I've gotten way more pleasure out of the grilled cheese over the years, which is a matter of how creative and versatile this sandwich can truly be.

The most basic and classically American version of the grilled cheese sandwich I can think of involves American cheese on white bread. This is the first version I can remember and really feels perfectly at home in the suburban '70s of my childhood. While I now can't think of either white bread or American cheese alone without feeling a little disgusted, the thought of this combination still sounds kind of tasty.

Somewhere near 10, I graduated to cheddar on whole wheat bread, which was my grilled cheese of choice for nearly a decade. Another key transition for me during this period was a movement from grilling the sandwich in butter or margarine to cooking it in vegetable oil, which would be further enhanced years later with my discovery of olive oil. A sharp cheddar can add unexpected depth to the sandwich, but it's not so far removed from the classic mentioned above to shatter any longstanding conventions of childhood.

About the time I went away to college I started experimenting with both bread and cheese in this sandwich, as well as herbal ingredients. My standby during this period was Swiss on sourdough with cumin on the inside and pepper on the outside, all dipped in yellow mustard and Tabasco when finished. I also started testing out softer cheeses right about this time, as well as a variety of mustards and an occasional dash of Sriracha. But again and again, I come back to Swiss on sourdough. As creative and unique as you want to get with this sandwich, it's still comfort food and will taste great in part because it's exactly what you expect.   

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November 19, 2009
Fun read -- we miss you, pal.
 
August 26, 2009
Just bumped into this review. Great work! I can't wait to try one with cumin.
 
April 18, 2009
You should be the spokeperson for National Grilled Cheese Month. What a detailed mini memoir with GC. Have u been to Campanile's GC night?
April 19, 2009
Ah, Campanile! LOVE!! Haven't been in years - we should go!
April 20, 2009
Yes Grilled Cheese Thursday! Let's go! I'll bring my lactose pills...
 
February 07, 2009
My favorite until college was still Kraft American cheese slices on white or whole wheat bread, pan fried in vegetable oil or butter so that the edges get crispy (I never wanted the crusts cut off my sandwiches when I was younger). After discovering that some people eat them with tomatoes I switched to that version. I don't really eat them much now, but if I could have one right now, it would be sharp Vermont cheddar and tomatoes on whole wheat bread pan-fried with a light coat of canola oil. Yum! :)
 
December 23, 2008
I was getting pretty creative with the ingredients in my fridge one day, and I came up with the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich EVER: Medium or sharp cheddar cheese with fresh, sliced crimini mushrooms and red onion, on whole wheat. So friggin' awesome! But you have to grill it in butter. How else can you get those succulent, crunchy edges?
 
November 26, 2008
Good point. I think it's interesting how grilled cheese has evolved and grown up over the years. Who knew a childhood favorite could appeal to full-grown foodies!
 
1
More Grilled Cheese Sandwiches reviews
Quick Tip by . June 17, 2012
Nothing like a good sandwich at any time! Panera? Arbys? T.J.F? Named!!
Quick Tip by . September 29, 2011
One childhood favorite I never outgrew. I know lots of adults who feel the same way. Quick, cheap, simple and delicious!
Quick Tip by . June 03, 2011
posted in Gourmand
Basically two pieces of toast with melted cheese between them. Even better with chicken and tomatoes! How can something so simple be so good?
Quick Tip by . March 16, 2011
it looks good,. make me thought about bree wan de camp in the movie , the perfect housewife who is really good at cooking.Sounds interesting, I'll try to cook it myselfy to
Quick Tip by . March 18, 2011
I just don't like them. They're full of high-calorie, low-nutrient food, and I am lactose intolerant, so there you go.
Quick Tip by . October 05, 2010
Marble coby = best for grilled cheese! Ever! I've tried all the cheddar and I must say, it is indeed the best cheese for the job. It melts well, and has a wonderful taste only it could bring!
Quick Tip by . October 26, 2010
Buttering the bread is a must. I like using Alvarado St bread with a combo of jalapeno jack and cheddar. MMMMMMM
Quick Tip by . October 12, 2010
Love, love love, grilled cheese sandwiches with ham and onions; lightly browned around the edges...
Quick Tip by . October 07, 2010
The use of multiple cheeses and good bread are the keys.
Quick Tip by . October 18, 2010
Toast the outsides of the grilled cheese. It makes a better crunch for when you dip it in tomato soup!
see all Grilled Cheese Sandwiches reviews (30)
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Cory O'Malley ()
I'm a community manager at Lunch and think I know a thing or two about quirky industrial design, indie rock, lowbrow art, contemporary British authors, Mediterranean cuisine, chihuahuas -- pretty much … more
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About this food

Wiki

The Grilled Cheese sandwich is a type of food where cheese is placed between two slices of bread that is fried, toasted, or broiled.

The practice of creating a hot cheese sandwich (where the bread is toasted and the inside cheese is heated to a point of melting) began in the 1920s as sliced breads and processed cheeses became more widely available. The original versions, however, contained one slice of bread, topped with cheese. The practice of adding a top, toasted slice of bread became popular in the 1960s. A cold version, without toasting and melted cheese, is simply called a cheese sandwich.

Today, the grilled cheese sandwich is a very popular food in the US with a grilled cheese convention held annually in Los Angeles in its honor. 
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