Tips for the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich

Twinwillow


If I'm correct, the term "grilling" actually refers to cooking on a flat top. Like in a diner.

 
It probably can debated many ways.  I was curious myself.  Read the defination and decide for yourself.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grilling
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Brad_Olson


Somewhere around here is an old thread about how a grilled cheese sandwich ceases being such when other items are added, like "The Tuscan" mentioned in the story.  Adding prosciutto basically makes it an upscale grilled ham-and-cheese.

Brad

In Pittston.....Them is fightin words

Foodbme

Michael Hoffman


I wsa probably 40 years old the first time I ever heard a toasted cheese sandwich called a grilled cheese sandwich.

You obviously have lead a sheltered life!

sorry foodbme,thats what it used to be called in the 50's 60's & into the 70's

sk bob

Foodbme

Michael Hoffman


I wsa probably 40 years old the first time I ever heard a toasted cheese sandwich called a grilled cheese sandwich.

You obviously have lead a sheltered life!

sorry foodbme,thats what it used to be called in the 50's 60's & into the 70's

I was on the Planet and eating GRILLED Cheese sandwiches in the 50's, 60's & 70's and we always called them GRILLED Cheese.

Wintem01

Brad_Olson


How can it be grilled cheese if it's cooked in a pan?

I agree with using sturdy bread.  A sandwich made with soft white bread doesn't cut it with me.

Somewhere around here is an old thread about how a grilled cheese sandwich ceases being such when other items are added, like "The Tuscan" mentioned in the story.  Adding prosciutto basically makes it an upscale grilled ham-and-cheese.

Brad

Are you kidding?!?!Who makes a griiled cheese on an actual grill? Let the abuse begin.

Flattops in restaurants are referred to as grills. They're not talking about BBQ Grills.

In 60+ years, I've never heard of a roasted cheese sandwich!!

In the UK they have "toasted cheese".........open faced usually, undera broiler.........but roasted.................i suppose it could work at 450degrees+......think Pizza.......but..................who knowswhat it'll taste like?  (Iwill next week just to find out!.........LOL)
 

Well, now I've seen everything...[video]
http://www.vat19.com/dvds/toastit-toaster-bags.cfm

I misspoke, of course I meant I never heard of a "toasted" grilled cheese.

I started using shredded cheddar and shredded Jack cheese for grilled cheese. Butter one side of two slices of bread and lay both slices in a pan. Put Shredded Cheddar on half of bread and shredded jack on the other half, you may have to rotate the bread 180 degrees half way through, the center of the pan heats/toasts the bread faster. When the bottom of the bread is toasted and both cheeses are melted put one top on the other to make the sandwich. .... BillyB

ALLGOOD


A little mayo on the inside makes it tangy.

I always put mayo on the inside.  I also melt a pat of butter in the pan & place the sandwich on the butter & cook on med/low to both crisp the bread & melth the cheese.  Although, I know that cheddar, swiss, etc make a good grilled cheese, in our house grilled cheese sandwichs are always made with Velveeta.

Foodbme


Flattops in restaurants are referred to as grills. They're not talking about BBQ Grills.

Although it can be done:
 

 
Corned beef and Swiss grilled on a Weber Smokey Joe.
 
The different varieties of George Foreman grills do a nice job, too.
 
Brad

I think in the South they call that the "Holy Grail"

What an amazing-looking sandwich.  I'd love to buy one of those at whatever price!

I'd travel at least 50 miles out of my way to get a great grilled cheese sandwich. How about some places where any of you grilled cheese lovers have had a memorable one?
 
A year or so ago we stumbled on a small lunch room in Stone Ridge , NY (sorry can't dig out the name) where I had an outstanding gilled cheese - sourdough bread and aged cheddar. We went back a while ago and I ordered the same meal  - it came out of the kitchen with  ordinary bread and that awful orange cheddar thats seems to be a specialty of Wisconsin.
 
Some days we just get lucky... and some days,not...
 
Cheers, John  

Here's a suggestion: Assemble your fave grilled cheese sandwich.Grill it on your waffle iron (not the Belgian variety).Notice the increased surface area crunch.As an added plus, eat the "cheese freaky" that oozes onto the grill.Yum

My mother's kitchen! Muenster cheese makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches. What type of bread is not important although I do enjoy swiss rye. The best part was always cooking it with canine supervision, for he knew the last bite was going to be his.

Its true grilled cheese sandwich is awesome

Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich
 1/4 cup dry white wine
5 tablespoons butter, room temperature, divided use
 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 slices sourdough bread (or other crusty white bread of choice)
8 ounces Gruyere, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Heat wine in a large skillet over medium heat.
When almost all liquid has evaporated, add 2 tablespoons butter, mustard and pepper.
Stir to incorporate and transfer to a small bowl. Save the skillet to cook the sandwiches.
 
Brush a little of the seasoned butter on the top of each slice of bread.
Top half the seasoned side of the bread slices with the cheese.
Place the remaining bread, seasoned side facing the cheese, on top of the cheese.
Combine remaining 3 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise. Spread 1/8 of this mixture on top of each sandwich.
Reheat the skillet over medium heat. When hot, place the buttered side of the sandwich on the skillet. Spread remaining butter on top of the sandwiches. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
Remove cover and cook until sandwiches are nicely browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes longer.
Turn the sandwiches over.
Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered until the bottom is golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.

I'll have to try some of these.  I always make my grilled cheese sandwiches on a George Foreman.  Easy and not much to clean up.

A few rules in my mind.
 
First of all, "The Classic" is white bread, American cheese.
 
Secondly, anything other than cheese and bread is NOT a grilled cheese. It's a grilled cheese and ____ sandwich.
 
Other than that, a good sandwich is always welcome.
 
Chicken, nice job. I bet that tasted awesome.
 
DT

My Mother made awesome toasted cheese sandwiches( like Mr.Hoffman, thats what I grew uo with)She used colby cheese with a smear of yellow mustard.I loved the way the cheese stretched when I took each bite.

Yay annpeeples. She knows what they are.

NOW this sounds like the ULTIMATE Grilled Cheese  Sandwich!
From Bon Appetit and Epicurious:
Grilled Cheese and Fried Egg Sandwiches
Yield: Makes 4
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
 
12 slices pancetta (Italian bacon)
2 tablespoons butter
4 slices sourdough bread
8 thin slices provolone cheese
4 large eggs
1 small green onion, chopped
Parmesan cheese shavings
12 fresh basil leaves or arugula leaves
 
Cook pancetta in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels. Reserve skillet with drippings.
Melt butter in extra-large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 4 bread slices; top each with 2 provolone slices. Sprinkle with black pepper. Cook until cheese melts, 3 to 4 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat skillet with drippings over medium heat. Crack eggs into skillet; cook until whites are set but yolks are still runny, 2 to 3 minutes. Set 6 pancetta slices and 2 eggs atop each of 2 cheese toasts. Top eggs with onion, Parmesan, and basil, then remaining bread slices, cheese side down. Cut sandwiches in half and serve.
 

 
 
  First off, I cook pancakes, bacon and more on a griddle.  If I did it on a grill, the batter would  ooze through the bars.  A proper steak is cooked over a grill with the flames actually creating grill marks.  A steak on a griddle is just plain wrong. It seems that some have used the terms toasted along with grilled when the real name should be 'griddled cheese sandwich' .  In 20 years, we will be calling them 'Cheese Melts' and then will be discussing the terms of toasted, grilled or griddled.
We all can hope that Mr. Hoffmann makes it that long
  That said, here is my ultimate grilled cheese.  Three slices of Texas Toast, tomatoes, bacon and of course, cheese cooked on a griddle.
 



Money shot.....

 
mark

Awesome-looking sandwich.  Outstanding.

MellowRoast


What an amazing-looking sandwich.  I'd love to buy one of those at whatever price!

If you're talking about the grate, they're not expensive. You can get them at most Lowes or Home Depot. They're great for grilling Veggies or fish too. Some have non-stick surfaces or porclein

I was talking about the sandwich, but heck, I may have to go for the grate, too!

MellowRoast


I was talking about the sandwich, but heck, I may have to go for the grate, too!

Can't make the sandwich that way without the grate. Go for it!

Foodbme

MellowRoast


I was talking about the sandwich, but heck, I may have to go for the grate, too!

Can't make the sandwich that way without the grate. Go for it!

We have a grate like that & it also works great on shrimp.