The Three B’s to the Perfect Grilled Cheese
With April being National Grilled Cheese Month, we’ve been thinking a lot about those gooey delicious sandwiches.
Our friends over at Sara Lee Artesano Bread have provided some really great tips for grilled cheese success.
The Three B’s to the Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Base| Any chef will tell you when making a grilled cheese, the bread is the make or break decision. Sara Lee’s new Artesano Bread is the perfect canvas for your grilled cheese creations. The hearty slices will hold strong under the weight of the gooey cheese, but won’t overpower your fillings. It also crisps nicely on the outside, while the inside remains soft and fluffy when you dig in.
Butter| If you’ve already committed to indulging in grilled cheese, go all the way and add that butter (or a close substitute). We recommend lightly brushing melted butter directly on the outside of the bread, rather than melting it in the pan first. This allows every corner of your Artesano bread to be coated, allowing for an even, golden sear edge-to-edge.
Blend| What you put inside your grilled cheese matters, and not all cheeses are created equal. Are you looking for a spicy, savory blend? Or how about sweet and tangy? Whatever the combo, remember your cheese and other fillings need to play together nicely in the sandbox, Pick ingredients that pair well for that perfect balance on your palate.
Check out these Grilled Cheese Fun Facts whole your sandwich is grilling:
- 86% of US adults eat at least one grilled cheese sandwich per year
- Research from the NDP Group Inc. found that Americans eat 2.2 bacon grilled cheese sandwiches per year.
- The most popular additions to a grilled cheese sandwich are bacon, ham, and tomato.
- The Ancient Romans were the first civilization to make a cooked bread and cheese type sandwich. Many cultures have inverted their own take on the dish. In Switzerland, it is customary to tast the bread and melt the cheese separately before combining them,while in France the Coque Monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich) is popular.
- When affordable sliced bread and inexpensive cheese became available in the US in the 1920’s, the grilled cheese became a household staple. At the time, it was prepared a little differently, open faced and topped with shredded American cheese.
- In the 1960’s, the grilled cheese as we know it emerged when the second slice of bread became a standard part of the sandwich.
- The actual term “grilled cheese” didn’t make an appearance in print until the 1960’s. Before then is was called a “melted cheese” or “toasted cheese” sandwich.
So the question of the day is…What makes your perfect grilled cheese sandwich?
About the Author - Taryn Jeffries
Editor and Chief Eating Officer of PhoenixBites, 2017 Food Writer of the Year (Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame) Taryn grew up in a small town in Illinois with a doting Grandmother who taught her the way around a kitchen and that food is representative of love. Her current quest is to find the love in local dishes and the chefs behind them. In addition to running all things PhoenixBites, Taryn is also a freelance writer, sharing her insight on the best dishes and where to get them each and every month.
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