How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Everything you need to know about making the ideal grilled cheese sandwich! Which is better, mayonnaise or butter? Is the lid on or off? A excellent grilled cheese recipe is more complicated than you might believe!

Ingredients :

• 3 ounces of shredded cheddar, Swiss, Jack, or fontina cheese (between 2/3 and 1 cup)

• 2 slices sandwich bread, preferably 1/2-inch thick

• 2 teaspoons mayonnaise or butter

STEPS :

     1. Preheat the pan and grate the cheese :

Heat a heavy-bottomed medium skillet over medium-low to medium heat (every stove differs). Grate the cheese while the skillet heated. If you're using more than one type of cheese, blend them in a mixing bowl until well incorporated.

     2. Mayo or butter the bread :

On one side of each slice of bread, evenly spread butter or mayonnaise. Place the slices in the hot skillet, butter side down.

     3. Melt the cheese after adding it :

Spread the cheese evenly across both slices of bread. Put the lid on your skillet if you have one; this will help the cheese melt more evenly.

Now, hold your ground! The second you step away, your sandwich starts to burn. Wait for the cheese to start melting. The time it takes will vary depending on your stove, skillet, and cheese. Cheeses with a lower moisture content, such as aged cheddar, will take longer to melt. It could take as little as 2 minutes or as much as 5 minutes. You want the cheese to be halfway melted, not completely melted.

     4. Close the sandwich and finish grilling :

(If you want to include a filling, such as chopped tomato, do it now.) Once both sides are golden brown, close the sandwich and cook it for a further 2-3 minutes per side, turning it with a turner as necessary.

Usually, the second side goes faster than the first. With your turner, gently but firmly press down on the sandwich to compact it somewhat but not smoosh it. To prevent the bread from charring, reduce the heat to medium-low.

Check the sandwich to see if the cheese is completely melted. Reduce the heat and continue to cook the cheese for a few minutes if the bread is ready to your liking but needs additional time.

     5. Serve the sandwich :

Cut the sandwich anyway you choose (I like cutting on the diagonal, making four pointed corners to dip in tomato soup) and set it aside to cool for a minute or two before eating, unless you enjoy burning your teeth on molten cheese. Serve right away.