Grilled cheese sandwiches come in many variations, with bread and cheese choices affecting taste and texture. Vegetarian and vegan options incorporate fresh produce and dairy substitutes, while adding meat creates a “melt”. Sandwiches can also be cooked on a press for a unique texture.
There are thousands of different types of grilled cheese when you consider the many combination possibilities of bread and cheese. Grilled cheese is a toasted sandwich made by combining sliced bread and sliced cheese. Bread selection plays a large role in the overall taste and texture of a grilled sandwich. The choice of cheese or combination of cheeses that make up the filling generally come together to contrast and complement the bread. A variety of cooked meats, thinly sliced vegetables, and fresh herbs are used to add flavor and complexity to the basic grilled cheese sandwich.
The basic cheese, bread and butter varieties of grilled cheese are plain, then the gooey filling is featured. The base of the dining room is easy to make, as it is cheap to supply the ingredients. White or sourdough bread provides good structure to the sandwich and subtle flavors that complement the melted cheese. Wedges of American or cheddar cheese are the most likely choices for this popular comfort food option. Using more than one cheese or thicker slices of bread are common alterations that keep the toasted cheese sandwich close to the original design.
Vegetarian and vegan grilled cheese sandwiches incorporate vegetables and dairy substitutes into the recipe. Cheese, butter and bread are very rich flavors that can often benefit from the addition of fresh produce. Slices of tomato, avocado, and squash are sometimes baked into toasted cheese sandwiches to bring balance and additional nutrition to the dish. Vegan cheese substitutions use soy and other natural products to create slices with similar texture and flavor to their real counterpart. The green herbs are usually added raw to steamed with the cheese as it melts and impart their flavor all the while.
Adding meat such as cold cuts or bacon to the common grilled cheese makes it a sandwich of a different kind. Toasted cheese sandwiches filled with meat are sometimes called melts. Melts are made with sturdier flavored breads such as wheat, rye, and rye dough. Processed cheese varieties that are filled with meat are sometimes served without a second slice of bread on top. Open-faced grilled cheese is typically finished in a hot oven or under a broiler rather than on the griddle.
Sandwiches are a type of grilled cheese sandwich cooked on both sides on a press. Two slices of bread are filled with any variety of meats, vegetables and cheeses and loaded onto a specialized grill. The top of the grill is pulled down on the sandwich to create the recognizable grill marks on the crust and melt the cheese.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
