Grilled cheese sandwich

Infobox Prepared Food
name = Grilled Cheese Sandwich


caption = A grilled cheese sandwich served with tomato soup.
alternate_name = Cheese toast, roasted cheese
country = Oro-Station, Ontario, CanadaFact|date=July 2008
region =
creator =
course =
served = Hot
main_ingredient = Cheese and Bread
variations = Multiple
calories =
other =

A grilled cheese sandwich (also known as a cheese toastie or toasted cheese sandwich) is a toasted or fried sandwich consisting of two slices of bread, usually buttered, and cheese melted in between. It is a simple variation on the very old combination of bread and cheese.

Preparation

A grilled cheese sandwich can be made in a variety of ways. Regionally, some methods are more common than others.

In the United States, the outside of the assembled sandwich is usually buttered before being fried. Occasionally, mayonnaise is used instead. The sandwich may be grilled with a griddle, pan, or cast iron skillet, or in a dedicated sandwich maker.cite web | url = http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsandwiches.html#grilledcheese | title = Food Timeline-- history notes: sandwiches | author = | Lynne Olver | accessdate = 2008-03-18] Once the bottom of the sandwich has reached a toast-like texture, the sandwich is flipped and continues cooking until both sides are toasted and the cheese has melted.

In the United Kingdom, the buttering of the outside is less common, and a similar sandwich is most commonly cooked either under a grill or (more commonly) in a sandwich toaster, and possibly open-faced as cheese on toast. These sandwiches are more commonly called "toasties", are not grilled using a pan or skillet, and thus may not be considered true grilled cheese sandwiches by some standards.

Ingredients and variants

Cheddar cheese is most commonly used. In the United States, it is traditional to use American cheese, but other cheeses such as gouda, Velveeta, Swiss, and Gruyère are also used. Most restaurants use a mix of cheeses. Some people choose to put mayonnaise on their sandwich before cooking. The sandwich may be supplemented with additional ingredients, such as bacon, tomato, avocado, tuna, ham, pickles, herbs, spices, and condiments such as mustard, tomato sauce, or Worcestershire sauce. It is traditionally accompanied by tomato soup, although in restaurants it is usually served with french fries, like a hamburger. Ketchup is sometimes used as a condiment.

History

The grilled cheese sandwich in its current form began in the 1920s as an open sandwich.Fact|date=June 2008 The additional slice of bread became common in the 1960s.Fact|date=June 2008 The sandwich now has a dedicated following. At the Grilled Cheese Invitational cook-off (held annually in Los Angeles), contestants attempt to cook the best grilled cheese sandwich in various categories. On November 23, 2004, a grilled cheese sandwich containing a likeness of the Virgin Mary was sold at auction for $28,000.

References

External links

* Food Network Recipes: [http://search.foodnetwork.com/food/recipe/%22grilled+cheese%22/search.do?searchString=%22grilled+cheese%22&site=food&gosearch=&searchType=Recipe Grilled Cheese]