Give Your Grilled Cheese a Makeover
Adina Steiman
As September starts to slip away and we resign ourselves to the start of the fall season, there’s one shining fact that will make it all ok: We’re heading into Grilled Cheese Season. Now, this isn’t some bogus holiday dreamed up by the marketing team of the Cheese Board. It’s just a simple fact that humans experience a flash of seratonin-based joy when they pull a grilled cheese sandwich apart with their hands. And biting into it is pretty good, too.
But if you’re a grilled-cheese devotee, you’re probably on the prowl for ways to make this illustrious sandwich even better. And we’ve got your guide right here.
—Add a flavor-packed spread. Whether you add a swipe of olive or artichoke tapenade or a spoonful of truffle honey, a spread can make the bread in your grilled cheese even more flavorful. Just stick to condiments with flavors that you already love alongside cheese. Or make your own, like this chipotle-spiced spread from Amy’s Bread.
— Give the sandwich a hit of freshness. Grilled cheese is usually rich and creamy, and you’ll appreciate those qualities even more if you contrast them with something acidic or herbal. Sure, a pickle on the side is a natural first choice, but you can also layer ripe slices of tomato or whole soft herbs like basil right into the sandwich.
—Mix up your cheese. American or cheddar? Swiss or mozz? Why choose? You could argue that the most successful (and often the most gooey) grilled-cheese sandwiches include three or more cheeses, like this one does.
—Don’t forget to fry in mayo. Yes, mayo. And finally, I exhort you to try frying your grilled cheese in mayo instead of butter. What you may lose in dairy sweetness, you’ll gain in savory crispness, I promise you.
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