Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food! What could be better than melted cheese, crispy bread, and ample amounts of melted butter? Most of us have been eating these sandwiches since our childhood, most likely with a steaming cup of tomato soup. These gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches are still as simple as those childhood favorites, but with some updated, gourmet ingredients.
Start With a Basic Recipe
Every gourmet grilled cheese sandwich you make starts with a straightforward method. Simply make a cheese sandwich, butter the outsides of the bread, and place it in a skillet that has been set on medium heat. Cook one side until the bread is golden brown, which should take 3-5 minutes. Flip the sandwich over and cook on the other side for another 3-5 minutes, or until that side is golden brown. You can also use a panini press instead – just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Now Make Your Sandwich Gourmet
After you learn how to make a basic grilled cheese sandwich, you can experiment with your own gourmet combinations! You can use any kind of bread, cheese, and fillings that you want. The beauty of these sandwiches is that they are made the same way as the basic recipe. Here are some ideas:
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Brie and Jam. Spread both sides of the sliced bread with your choice of jam or jelly before adding the Brie. You can use any type of bread that you want, but white bread or whole wheat bread taste the best.
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Cheddar and Bacon. Cheddar cheese and bacon are a classic combination. After adding the cheese to the sandwich, sprinkle it with a slice or two of crumbled bacon. Use the best cheddar cheese you can find to make this combination truly gourmet. Try using rye bread to give the sandwich an extra dimension of flavor!
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Tomato and Mozzarella. To make this sandwich, use thick slices of Italian bread, fresh tomato, and fresh mozzarella. Instead of buttering the bread before placing it in the skillet, drizzle it with olive oil. This sandwich is reminiscent of the “Caprese” panini sandwiches that are so popular in Italy.
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Hawaiian Style. If you love Hawaiian pizza, you’ll love this grilled cheese sandwich! To make the sandwich, use crushed pineapple, sliced cheddar cheese, and crumbled pieces of cooked bacon.
- Truffle and Cheddar. Truffles on a grilled cheese sandwich are the epitome of gourmet! If you can’t find the fresh or dried truffle mushrooms, you can always use truffle oil instead. Make the grilled cheese sandwich with high quality cheddar and then top it with a few pieces of sliced truffle mushroom or a drizzle of truffle oil.
These combinations are a great place to start, but feel free to make up your own!