The Great American Grilled Cheese Experiment
In celebration of April being National Grilled Cheese Month, Patch wants to know what ingredients you add to take this sandwich to the next level.
The grilled cheese sandwich: It is the quintessential cuisine in the average American’s kitchen. It’s inexpensive and easy to make. Just slap some cheese between two slices of bread, fry it in a pan with a little butter and voila, the delicious, cheesy goodness is all yours.
The grilled cheese is absolutely wonderful in all its simplistic glory, but the traditional sandwich also offers seemingly limitless opportunities for innovation. Some folks like to add bacon or tomato, while others take it in a whole new direction and throw Ramen noodles on it. Yeah, Ramen noodles.
So what exactly are you putting on your grilled cheese these days? We want to know, so please tell us in the comments below. In the meantime, for your culinary enjoyment, we serve up a list of your local Patch editors’ favorite spin on the grilled cheese. Buon Appetito!
- Heather Asiyanbi, Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch: Has to be a mix of cheese - like provolone, sharp cheddar and mozzarella. Preferably between thicker slices of whole wheat or whole grain bread. Only use real butter, though, not non-fat, non-stick stuff on the pan.
- Sarah Worthman, Fox Point-Bayside Patch: I love mine with pepper jack cheese, bacon and tomatoes. Best if you've got a bowl of tomato soup to pair it with.
- Andy Ambrosius, Sussex Patch: Munster cheese, cream cheese, tomatoes and pesto seasoning.
- Sarah Millard, Waukesha Patch: A delicious side of a perfect chicken broth-based soup that is full of chunky goodness such as dumplings and lots of vegetables.
- David Cotey, Greenfield Patch: Pepper jack cheese, bacon and maybe some turkey.
- Adam McCoy, Shorewood Patch: I'm just a plain cheddar or American cheese sort of dude. Just melt those processed cheese slices between two pieces of buttered bread and go for it.
Jennifer Wiegers
4:27 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I love mine with a couple different kinds of cheeses (i.e. cheddar and swiss or munster, etc..) and a tomato slice...yummy :)
Verna
4:29 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Grilled american cheese with dill pickles. YUMMY
Sarah Worthman
4:31 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I'm a BIG fan of pickles with my grilled cheese. Super tasty!
Maggie Wright
4:29 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Dip it in salsa! Soooo yummy!
North Shore One
4:33 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Mmmm, American cheese with tomatoes on whole grain bread with a bowl of tomato soup. Perfect for a meatless Monday dinner!
Kaitlyn Cadman
5:14 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Love mine with swiss cheese, tomatoes, and lots of jalapenos!
Andy Ambrosius
6:22 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Oh man! I bet jalapenos would be awesome! Or maybe even hot buffalo sauce... Hmmmm.
Laurie Rockwell
6:33 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I use plain American on the inside, and sprinkle Parmesan on the buttered outside. Absolutely delicious!!!
Sofia Reino
6:40 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
About a year ago I tested this recipe and it is so absolutely amazing: http://leitesculinaria.com/71190/recipes-hog-island-grilled-cheese.html
Lauren Petrovic
9:16 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
I love mine with a mix of cheese...AND then...spread some jelly (I prefer strawberry) on top after its grilled :) yummy!
Pamela
9:41 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Just with plain American Cheese slices, with a side of cinnamon applesauce for dipping :)
Chris Larsen
9:56 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
I take Asiago Cheese Bread from Panera, brush with Land O Lakes Canola Butter mix, and either a smoked Provolone/Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese, and grill till golden brown. Delightful Indulgence!
Me in the Falls
12:27 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Velvetta, Texas toast, and real butter. Not gourmet, but down-home good! Serve with either tomato soup or a chocolate malt, depending on the season.
Mary Boyle
11:47 am on Friday, April 27, 2012
Swiss, muenster and cheddar - no processed cheese! - plus mushrooms, tomato and avacado. I like to use Breadsmith French bread and real butter. AMAZING!!!