Classic And Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipes

Interestingly, the term grilled cheese has only been around since the 60's. Before that time they were "melted cheese" or "toasted cheese". By any name, Who doesn't love a good grilled cheese sandwich?

They are one of those things that defy logic, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. They are crisp and crunchy on the outside, smooth and creamy on the inside, all that gooey melty cheese just oozing around in there, and all that butter that browns so nicely to give it all a subtle nutty flavor. So very good. Oh my! This is why grilled cheese is a comfort food classic.

If being a comfort food classic isn't enough, they are ultimately customizable. You can make a classic grilled cheese, gournet grilled cheese, grilled ham and cheese, tomato and cheese, dill pickle and cheese almost anything goes and they are all delicious. In fact almost every food culture has some version of a grilled cheese. Quesadillas in Mexico, mozzarella panini in Italy, and croque monsieur in France to mention a few.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese - Comfort Food Heaven

Gourmet Grilled Cheese With Havarti Dill

This is a great grilled cheese recipe. I hope you give it a try.

Rather than using Havarti dill cheese, I use Havarti cheese and fresh dill because I prefer the flavor of fresh dill in the sandwich. 

• Yield: 2 sandwiches
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 slices homemade or artisan bread
• 6 slices good quality havarti cheese
• 2 sprigs fresh dill, picked and chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• Kosher salt, to taste

Method

1. Place a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Lay the bread slices out on a cutting board. Spread each slice of bread generously with butter. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over each buttered slice.
3. Lay two slices of bread in the skillet, butter side down. Top each slice of bread with a slice of cheese, a sprinkling of dill, a slice of cheese, a sprinkling of dill, and the last slice of cheese. Top each sandwich with the remaining slice of bread, butter side up, of course.
4. When the bread is golden brown turn the sandwiches over and cook the other side until golden brown.
5. Remove from heat and rest for a few minutes on a paper towel lined cutting board. When ready cut each sandwich in half, and serve.
6. If you cut them immediately all that gooey cheese is going to run out and onto the cutting board.

American Classic Grilled Cheese

• Yield: 2 sandwiches
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 slices white bread
• 4 slices American cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• Kosher salt, to taste

Method

1. Place a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Lay the bread slices out on a cutting board. Spread each slice of bread generously with butter. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over each buttered slice.
3. Lay the four slices of bread in the skillet, butter side down. Top each slice of bread with a slice of cheese. Cook until the bread is golden brown. Fold the four halves into two sandwiches. Press each sandwich lightly with a saptula.
4. Remove from heat and rest for a few minutes on a paper towel lined cutting board. When ready cut each sandwich in half, and serve.
5. If you cut them immediately all that gooey cheese is going to run out and onto the cutting board.

Tags: gourmet grilled cheese, grilled cheese recipe, classic grilled cheese