Classic Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is really simple, so why a recipe? Well, if made well anything can taste a lot better.
Here are a few key points.
Try using 2 types of cheese – mozzarella for texture and another for flavor. I like gruyere, gouda, aged cheddar, or a gruyere/cheddar mix found here in Wisconsin.
Make in a pan, not in a press for a superior golden buttery crust.
Use a good quality, fresh bread. I use sourdough, but not the artisan type with the thick chewy crust. I use a country sourdough. Here in Wisconsin there are some good Amish sourdoughs.
Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheese have potato starch or cellulose added to keep it from caking together.
Butter both sides of the bread with salted butter.
Ingredients
2 slices sourdough bread.
2 tbsp salted butter (can add a pinch of salt to unsalted butter)
1/3 cup (3 to 4 ounces) freshly grated gruyere, aged cheddar, or gouda cheese, freshly grated.
1/3 cup (3 to 4 ounces) mozzarella, freshly grated
Prepration
Grate the cheese using a standard box grater. As noted above, store bought pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents which prevents it from melting properly.
Butter both sides of each bread.
Place the bread in a pre-heated heavy skillet over medium low heat. Let it lightly toast just for about a minute. This will give this side of the bread an extra toasty flavor.
Turn one slice of bread then add the cheese on top. Place the other piece of bread on top with the toasted side facing the cheese.
Press down very lightly and cook for about 3 minutes until the underside is a deep, even golden brown color. If it is browning too quickly, remove the pan from the stove, let it cool slightly and lower the heat.
Turn the sandwich and cook the other side for another 3 minutes until golden and crisp, and the cheese is melted.
Your bread should be a deep golden brown, even colored, and crisp.
Transfer to a cutting board and cut in half.
Serve alone or with a good warm soup for a great fall or winter meal.
Keywords: Main
