The humble grilled cheese sandwich (or cheese toastie, if you prefer) is a classic, gooey example of what real comfort food is; rich, cheesy and undoubtedly terrible for your waistline, a good grilled cheese can warm the heart of almost anyone. On National Grilled Cheese Sandwich day we celebrate this simple yet delicious dish with a classic recipe, as well as a few ingenious tweaks to make your toastie extra special.
The Classic
Ingredients
2 slices of bread (not too thick but something substantial enough to take a good grilling without falling apart)
A slice of cheese (most people go for cheddar, but this is up to you)
Butter
Method
Preheat a frying pan or griddle pan over a medium heat
Generously butter one side of each slice of bread
Lay the first slice of bread, butter side down, on the pan
Lay your cheese on top
Add the other slice of bread on top, butter side up
Fry until lightly browned on the bottom, then flip over
Cook until the other side is lightly browned and the cheese is melted
Serve immediately, but try to wait for it to cool a little before biting into it (melted cheese can be hotter than the sun)
Extra Special Grilled Cheese Ideas
The Hawaiian: Add tomato sauce, slices of cooked ham and pineapple to your sandwich to recreate the controversial pizza topping
The Hunter: Include pieces of cooked chicken and a generous glug of BBQ sauce for a rich, meaty toastie
The Italian: Spread a layer of pesto underneath mozzarella discs and top with sliced tomato and basil leaves – bellisimo!
The Jalapeno Popper: Mix cheddar with cream cheese and jalapenos for a fiery Mexican sandwich that bites back
NOTE: If frying the sandwich and flipping over in a pan isn’t your cup of tea, why not try this Russell Hobbs 3 in 1 Sandwich Maker ? Simply pop your sandwich inside, close the lid and await the gooey ending.
