The grilled cheese recipe dates back centuries to the earliest days of bread and cheese. From the French, there is the croque monsieur, and from the Italians, there is the mozzarella in carrozza or mozzarella in a carriage – both somewhat sophisticated versions of the grilled cheese recipe – and let us not forget about the simple panini – also of Italy.
But the grilled cheese recipe – the grilled cheese sandwich – as we have come to know it is actually more a concoction originating of two modern day inventions – sliced bread and – courtesy of James L. Kraft – sliced cheese – in combination with situational circumstance – the Great Depressions – helped in no small measure by the advent of World War II making the universally celebrated grilled cheese an American phenomenon.
Decidedly affordable, deliciously comforting and deceptively easy – until you burn it – the grilled cheese recipe is study in process and modulation – not ingredients – as what could be simpler than tucking two slice of processed cheese – and yes, for the sake of authenticity, it needs to be processed cheese – between two slices of white bread – and yes, it needs to be generic white bread. So simple in fact, that the humble grilled cheese sandwich has become something of a college dorm staple because it can – in fact – be made using an iron and an ironing board – but do remember to clean both afterwards.
Once the grilled cheese recipe has been mastered, add bacon or ham and tomato for a more fortified, quick grab and go meal – often paired with tomato soup.
Not only one of the penultimate and enduring comfort foods, the grilled cheese recipe is a great introduction for the home cook because it allows for learning about temperature modulation – too high and your grilled cheese sandwich will burn; too low and you have a slightly warm cheese sandwich on your hands.
Finally, when serving, don't serve your grilled cheese flat – it will become soggy.
Cook: 7 Min
Serves: 1
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