This grilled sandwich recipe is for the cheese lovers. The sandwich is crispy on the outside and cheesy and soft on the inside. It's a light, yet highly satisfying dish for breakfast or afternoon snacks. You can create several variations of this sandwich using different types of bread and cheese. Here you will learn the full-proof recipe of the classic grilled cheese sandwich.
Ingredients
- Cheddar or gruyere cheese – 1/3 cup, freshly grated
- Mozzarella cheese – 1/3 cup, freshly grated
- Butter – 2 tablespoons, salted
- Mayonnaise – 1 tablespoon
- Dijon mustard – ½ teaspoon (optional)
- Sourdough Bread – 2 slices
Ingredients Explained
Sourdough bread
It is a slow-fermented bread that is best for making cheese sandwiches. This bread doesn't require any yeast. It is made with sourdough started, a natural leavening agent. It has a chewy and crispy texture and a tangy flavor. It is easily digestible.
Cheese
You need to choose cheese that melts easily. Here is a list of cheese from which you can choose:
- Havarti – mild aroma and flavor with a hint of sweetness and butter
- Swiss – soft texture and nutty flavor
- Fontina – mellow and buttery
- Monterey Jack – creamy and fresh
- Aged cheddar – sharp taste
- Blue cheese – pungent and bold flavor
Cooking procedure
- Grate cheese: It is better to grate cheese by hand rather than buying pre-sliced cheese. Use a box grater to grate it. The pre-sliced cheese found in stores has anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting properly.
- Butter the bread: Spread salted butter on both sides of the bread.
- Add mayonnaise: Spread a layer of mayonnaise over the butter on the top surface of the bread.
- Add Dijon mustard: It's totally up to you to use it. Dijon mustard will give a tangy flavor. You can spread it over the mayonnaise.
- Fry: Put a grill pan or non-stick fry pan on the stove and put it on medium-low heat. Once the grill pan is heated, toast two pieces of bread side-by-side for a minute. It will make the bread ready to melt the cheese after you flip it.
- Cheese the bread: Flip the bread with a spatula and spread the grated cheese on top. Place the toasted side of the other bread on top of the cheese. This sill makes the second slice of bread stick to the first one making a sandwich.
- Cook: Press down lightly on the bread and cook for 3 minutes. You will have the grilled marks on the bread this way. You will get a golden-brown color at the bottom. Lower the heat if it browns too quickly. Now turn the sandwich carefully, and cook for another 3 minutes on low heat the same way. You will get a crispy sandwich full of melted butter.
- Cut and serve: Take the sandwich out of the pan and cut it in half on a cutting board before serving.
Tips
- Not too thick as the cheese might not melt easily. It shouldn't be too thin as it will be full of cheese then. It also shouldn't be too holey so that cheese may escape. You can use white bread also.
- You can choose any melted cheese or even a combination of cheese, like cheddar, mozzarella, or gruyere.
What can you serve with the sandwich
- Cajun fries
- Roasted Tomato Soup
- Creamy Cole Slaw
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Variations
- Add vegetables like bell peppers and tomatoes. Cut them into small cubes.
- Add fruits, and cut into small pieces.
- Add pickles.
- Add the sauce of your choice.
- Sprinkle herbs like dry oregano or basil.
A grilled cheese sandwich can be your grab-and-go meal of the day. You will feel fuller and be in a state to relax. Experiment by adding herbs and other spices. It's a very healthy and energizing food for everyone.
