The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food. It’s an adult treat that harkens back to childhood. I ate many a grilled cheese sandwich as a kid and I never met a grilled cheese sandwich that I didn’t like. To make the ultimate grilled cheese, I have mashed up the best grilled cheese sandwiches of my memory—from the drug-store lunch counter to my favorite “better” cheese versions. These days, I use a sturdy white bread, Pepperidge Farm original white is my top choice. I use one slice of American cheese, a.k.a. melty cheese, on each side to hold everything together and then add a thick slice of whatever cheese I have on hand. It is usually Muenster, Swiss or sharp cheddar—but you can even use pimento cheese if you have made it yourself.
I use a two-step cooking process. I brown the bread on the stovetop and make sure the cheese melts by placing the skillet with the sandwich in it in a pre-heated oven. This is the key to the ultimate grilled-cheese sandwich. The oven step makes sure the cheese will melt completely but the bread won’t burn.
2 slices frozen bread, such as Pepperidge Farm Original White
½ tablespoon butter
2 thin slices American Cheese
1 thick slice sharp cheddar, Muenster, Swiss, etc
Special Equipment: Non-stick skillet
Preheat oven to 350 F
Place the butter in the non-stick pan. Heat the pan and melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Swirl one side of each bread in the melted butter. Place one slice of the bread, butter-side down, in the pan. Stack the cheese as follows, American cheese, cheddar or other cheese, American cheese. Top with the second slice of bread, butter-side out. Adjust the heat so the bread sizzles gently.
When the bread is lightly browned, carefully use a spatula to flip the sandwich over to brown the other side. Re-align the bread and cheese if necessary.
Place the skillet with the sandwich in it in the oven for 2-4 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted. Remove from the oven and cut in half. Enjoy immediately!
ALL RECIPES ©ELIZABETH KARMEL 2020