The American Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a popular classic in US cuisine. It essentially consists of two slices of bread filled with cheese and then toasted on the grill or in a pan until golden brown. The choice of cheese varies according to taste.
In this article you will learn all the important information about the preparation of the traditional American grilled cheese sandwich.
Traditional Grilled Cheese Sandwich from America
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 4 slices of toast White bread
- 2 slices of Cheese Munster
- 2 tbsp. butter
- (Salt)
- (Pepper)
Instructions
- Place the cheese between two slices of toast (and season lightly with salt and pepper).
- Melt some butter in a warm pan.
- Then fry the sandwiches in the butter until nice and crispy brown and the cheese has melted. Use a spatula to turn the sandwiches in the pan in between. Use a lid for the pan while frying.
- Cut the finished Grilled Cheese Sandwiches diagonally and serve.
Notes
- The pan should have a low temperature during preparation. Low and slow is the key to a nice brown sandwich with creamy melted cheese. If the pan is too hot, the toast will crisp up nicely but the cheese will not melt evenly.
- Use a lid for the pan.
- The thinner the toast, the more evenly browned it will be.
- Use mayo instead of butter for a more fancy flavor.
- You can find more useful tips and information further down in the article.
The history of the American Grilled Cheese Sandwich
During the Great Depression beginning in 1929 in the United States, also called “the Great Depression,” the Grilled Cheese Sandwich was an inexpensive and nutritious meal for many Americans.
In the 1920s and 1930s, recipes for “Toasted Cheese” were published in cookbooks. These first recipes represent a variation of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich we know today.
During World War II, the Grilled Cheese Sandwich gained popularity due to the distribution of cheese in rations to U.S. soldiers. After the war ended, the soldiers returned to their families with the simple recipe of today’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
In the years that followed, the first food manufacturers began selling pre-sliced cheese in plastic packaging in the 1960s. This made the preparation of the grilled cheese sandwich even easier for American citizens.
The Grilled Cheese Sandwich then became a staple in American cuisine and still has its place on many menus and in kitchens around the world.
Which bread is best for a grilled cheese sandwich?
The best and most famous bread for an American Grilled Cheese Sandwich is classic white bread or toast.
Butter one side of the white bread or toast slices and pan fry to give the sandwich a crunchy texture and melt the cheese.
Which cheese is the best for a grilled cheese sandwich?
Many Americans swear by Munster cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich. This type of cheese melts very nicely and has a not so strong taste.
Cheddar is a type of cheese that is used by many Americans for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. The cheddar has a stronger flavor than the Munster cheese, but not quite as good melting properties and is much oilier.
Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack are very good cheeses if you want your Grilled Cheese Sandwich to have the perfect texture.
Krafts singles is an American brand that makes processed cheese and is used by many Americans for their simple Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
How do you make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich?
- Melt butter in a warm pan.
- Place the cheese between two slices of toast (and season with salt and pepper).
- Fry the sandwich in the pan until brown. When doing this, use a lid for the pan so that the cheese melts nice and creamy.
- To serve, cut the Grilled Cheese Sandwich diagonally.
How to make a grilled cheese sandwich in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit or 230 degrees Celsius. Place the sandwich in the oven for 5 minutes, turn and heat for another 4 minutes.
A Grilled Cheese Sandwich in the oven is called a Baked Cheese Sandwich!
How to make a grilled cheese sandwich in the hot air fryer?
Heat the sandwich in the hot air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius for 4 to 5 minutes.
How do I make an old grilled cheese sandwich crispy again?
You can easily reheat an old Grilled Cheese Sandwich in a hot air fryer or bake it until crispy.
Can you reheat a grilled cheese sandwich in a microwave?
Grilled cheese sandwiches can be reheated in a microwave oven. However, in a mini oven or a hot air fryer sandwiches are much better reheated and retain their crispy texture.
Reheating in the microwave will make the sandwich soggy.
Can a grilled cheese sandwich be frozen?
A Grilled Cheese Sandwich can be frozen, but tastes much worse and like stale bread when thawed.
Personally, I would advise against freezing a grilled cheese sandwich. Since the preparation is so easy and quick, it’s usually not worth freezing the sandwich.
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