Friday, July 10, 2009

Gourmet Grilled Cheese Tips

Make a few simple changes to a standard grilled cheese to make it a gourmet sandwich.


A grilled cheese sandwich is an American favorite among kids and adults alike. A standard grilled cheese sandwich usually consists of two buttered slices of bread and a couple of slices of American cheese melted in between. However, there are simple ways to make this delicious sandwich a gourmet treat simply by making some simple additions and upgrades to the traditional recipe.


The Bread


Change one of the main ingredients: the bread. Commonly made with sliced sandwich bread, a grilled cheese sandwich is sure to taste and look like a gourmet dish if it is made on crustier bread such as french bread, or thickly sliced sourdough bread. These types of bread are more dense and have more flavor than traditional packaged sliced bread and are sure to add a delicious flavor and crunch to the sandwich.


The Cheese


Upgrade the sandwich with a gourmet cheese. Select a cheese that melts well, such as munster, mozzarella, Swiss, brie or cheddar, or use a mixture of cheeses. Richer, more flavorful cheeses will add a gourmet dimension to your sandwich.


Add Vegetables


One fabulous thing about making a grilled cheese sandwich is that the standard ingredients, bread and cheese, go well with a many other ingredients. Slice tomatoes and add them to the inside of the sandwich. Add sliced avocado, or for a spicier grilled cheese recipe, add sliced jalapenos. Try sliced bell peppers, onions or mushrooms. Adding any combination of these vegetables will add flavor and variation to a typical grilled cheese.


Add Meat








Along with adding vegetables, there are many meats you can add to a grilled cheese sandwich to increase the flavors and make the perfect combination. A very popular addition among gourmet grilled cheese recipes is bacon. Another idea is sliced prosciutto, or another type of ham. Adding meat to your grilled cheese sandwich gives it a rich flavor.

Tags: cheese sandwich, grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, grilled cheese, ingredients bread, standard grilled