There's a special place in the culinary world for the comfort and joy a classic sandwich brings, and nothing exemplifies this more than the Standard Grilled Cheese. This timeless dish, combining the heartwarming melt of American and Cheddar cheeses encased in perfectly toasted white bread, is not only an embodiment of childhood nostalgia but also a testament to the beauty of simplicity in cooking. With just a few quality ingredients and the right technique, this recipe elevates the familiar grilled cheese to a level that's fit for any occasion, from a quick lunch to a cozy dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 Slices of square white bread
- 2 Slices of American cheese
- ⅓ cup of grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
- Pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Grate the cheddar cheese (though you can purchase pre-grated or sliced cheddar). Grated cheese melts so well that it is ideal to add to any sandwich.
- Spread the mayonnaise on just 1 side of each slice of bread.
- Melt your butter in the pan and then place the mayo side face up, as we want to toast both sides of the bread. You’ll put the cheese on the side with no mayo in a moment.
- Once you’ve toasted the bread side, flip the bread over with a spatula so the mayo side is touching the pan. Make sure to get as much of the melted butter soaked into the bread as possible. Add more butter if necessary, and just begin to cook the mayo side.
- Place your cheeses on the toasted bread and grind some black pepper on top. Cover and set the heat to low.
- Grill for a few minutes, until the cheese has just begun to melt, then combine the two halves to make a sandwich in the pan.
- Use your spatula to press the sandwich down into the pan and make sure the mayo is fully browned. Pressing will evenly distribute the cheese and possibly push some cheese out of the sandwich and onto the pan, where it can fry and become part of the exterior of your sandwich. This is one of the joys of grilled cheese, similar in nature to the tiny pancakes created from spilled drops of batter. It’s these little things that help you fall in love with sandwich making!
- Once you’ve finished browning both sides to a nice crisp, remove from the pan and let sit for a minute or so to cool.
- After the melted cheese has settled, cut along the diagonal with a bread knife.
