BS: Grilled cheese sandwich

Subject: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Ed T
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 09:10 PM

I like grilled cheese sandwiches. Below are a few new ideas, on the old standard.
Do you have any unique goid ones you have tried to suggest?

40 grilled cheese sandwiches 

beer soaked grilled cheese 

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,goid ones
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 09:27 PM

goid ones???

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Ed T
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 09:32 PM

:) yes goid ones, yuz have nany?

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 10:29 PM

Thanks for the link, Ed. I like the sound of the grilled cheese sammich (GCS) with thin slices of apple.

To me the best way to enhance a GCS is to have a bowl of tomato soup sprinkled with basil.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Ed T
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 10:39 PM

Yes, tomato soup goes very well with GCS, yummy.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: olddude
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 12:24 AM

I love the things with a home made tomato soup

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Janie
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 12:42 AM

Grilled cheese and tomato soup - the ultimate comfort food associated with childhood memories and nurturing Momma. I don't tolerate many variations well, simply because of the associations. I did eventually move on to American or cheddar cheese from Velveeta, and good bread - sourdough or whole wheat or both rather than "Wonder Bread" but beyond those changes, I still cling to the memories. In summer when vine ripe, flavorful tomatoes are available, I add a slice of tomato if I have one on-hand. Otherwise, I want good and too highly buttered, unadulterated, grilled cheese 'sammich' with tomato soup/bisque. Not particular about the tomato bisque.

I occasionally love food that takes me back to being a child again. Mac and cheese doesn't do that for me. Grilled cheese and tomato bisque definitely does.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:15 AM

If we're including toasted sandwiches, my favourite, using a proprietary brand sandwich toaster is cheese bean & ham.
Butter (or margarine) the bread on what will be the outside of the sandwich.
Place the first (bottom) two slices in the toaster. (mine makes two at once)
Mould the bread into the depressions in the toaster and put (Heinz) baked beans into the hollows provided.
Add slices of cheese to completely cover the beans, and provide a seal to keep the beans in.
Add sliced ham, then the top slices of bread.
Close the toaster, allow about 5 minutes, open & serve.
Watch out, the beans tend to retain heat much better than any other part of the sandwich.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:26 AM

Agreed, Janie. Grilled cheese and cream of tomato (we always had Campbells) soup was a classic comfort food lunch when I was a child.

I make bread with 4 cups of flour - 3 bread flour and 1 cup whole wheat. I toast a slice lightly then cover it with fairly thick slices of a good blond sharp cheddar (Cougar Gold is a fabulous variety from the Ag folks at Washington State University). This open face sandwich goes under the broiler till it is bubbly.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:41 AM

The French variant is to put the sarnie under the soup, in their case onion soup.
We wouldn't be British if we didn't suggest some malt extract in it too, a knifetip in the marmite.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:55 AM

Agreed, grilled cheese sandwich with Tomato-basil soup.
Well-buttered, good cheddar.

Variation- Monte Cristo style; after toasting, coat in in well-beaten egg and quickly fry until the egg coats the sandwich.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Jeri
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:57 AM

I never liked Campbell's tomato soup. Just gimme the grilled cheese. YOU may toast the bread, but I like it grilled in a skillet, with some butter. My mom used to make them with Cheddar, they're good with American (yeah, it's not "real" cheese) or Velveeta. Basically cheese on grilled bread. My biggest problem is that when I buy the cheese and the bread, I have to use them up before they aren't edible, so I haven't had any for a while. Not in danger of starving...

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 12:13 PM

A sandwich with two pieces of bread grilled in the skillet, yes. But open face works best under the broiler. Less bread, no butter, slightly virtuous for those on low-carb diets. Mostly because it's delicious and you can get a lot of cheese on top of that piece of toast.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,DrSpooner
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 12:27 PM

Served after cooling: Chilled grease sandwich

I'll get me hat :}

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Ed T
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 12:28 PM

I like cheddar, but find many, but not all, of the grocery store varieties (like Cracker Barell) to be spongy and waxy, much like processed cheese slices. I avoid those brands. I prefer crumbly, extra old.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 12:41 PM

The cheese I linked to is aged enough that it has those little cheese crystal things that make your tongue so happy.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 01:10 PM

TRy mixing cheeses. Cheddar and Brie work well, as do cheddar and parmesan. For a bit of a kick, try a bit of hot sauce on the cheese before grillin.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,#
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 01:19 PM

Great sauce with a grilled cheese.

For those who like hot sauces.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Janie
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 01:54 PM

Yeh, skillet grilled - just like Mom used to do. Was a favorite of my son also. Like you, Jeri, he doesn't like tomato soup.


For open-faced, broiled cheese sandwiches, I like either cheddar or Colby, broiled with a slice of tomato sprinkled with basil, garlic powder, a spritz of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

I'm hungry!

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,Claire M
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 02:43 PM

Hiya! Waitrose do a stunning cheese & ham toastie, w/ cheese on the outside of the bread & green bits. So does the café nr my CPAP clinic. So does Mum. I love dried onions. I'd go a long way for a toastie

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 02:49 PM

I'm a very fussy eater (no greens) & was looking at a possible up-market pub lunch, but the menu outside seemed devoid of anything I'd fancy. Then I realised that a Croque Monsieur is actually a cheese & ham toastie!
Apparently, if you add an egg on top (either poached or fried) it changes gender & becomes a Croque Madame.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 04:16 PM

Nigel, I wouldn't turn them down!

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,Beverly
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:54 AM

There is a very small restaurant in Los Angeles on Sunset Blvd. (Silverlake area of L.A) called, Heywood Gourmet Grilled Cheese Shoppe. They specialize in grilled cheese sandwiches.
However, they are EXPENSIVE! Average price is $12.00 for a grilled cheese sandwich. Does come with a small side salad and small cup of soup but is a little too expensive for me. I went in there once maybe a year ago. I had gotten off my bus one stop too soon (didn't know the area all that well) and noticed this restaurant. I was hungry & also had to use the restroom so I thought - well, I'll just pop in here and get a grilled cheese sandwich. I was thinking (before I saw the menu) that it might be around $7.00 or $8.00 (as it is kind of become a trendy hipster area in recent years.
I was shocked to see $12.00 for lunch (did not include a beverage)
OK, so since I was there and hungry I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich and ran to the restroom before my order was ready. :-)
Most restaurants frown on people just coming in to use the restroom without dining there in Los Angeles.
I have to admit the sandwich was really good! Wonderful cheese they use - but just too expensive for me to go back again.   
I think they are online & show their menu. Too bad they are so expensive though. That is not typical though for the price of a grilled cheese sandwich. You can find it for 1/2 that price or less at a regular coffee shop restaurant (in a less trendy area.)
But since this is a specialty place for grilled cheese their prices are much higher I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 04:22 AM

Gee, this thread made me hungry. I went to the fridge for some Trader Joe bacon cheddar, and of course the dogs had to have their share and the cat had to have a treat, too.
I like my grilled cheese sandwiches with a slice of tomato, but lately I can't tolerate all the butter (or whatever) needed for grilling. I use the toaster oven now.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: gnu
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 04:33 AM

Nothin fancy here. I used to use Kraft slices until I learned there was such a thing as healthy eating. Fried. Nowadays, I just toast cracked wheat bread, lay on whatever cheese I happen to have (I seldom have any), press it hard and nuke it.

When I was a was a boy, Mum would make em fun. She'd heat up the iron... yes, the one for ironing laundry... and place the sandwich in a folded piece of tin foil. I doubt it would work with the ultrathin aluminum foil of today but it was a hit with all the kids in the neighbourhood back in the day.

I wonder if George Foreman could sell grilled sandwich kits with "starter kits" including an iron.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 06:08 AM

Oh. Yes. Monte Cristo!!

Tip: mayo makes an even better spread than butter (unless you like all that running down your fingers, then stick with it!).

It doesn't take much; a tablespoon is more than enough, spread thinly on both slices of bread, then grill. It becomes ONE with the bread, crispy-not-greasy. Homemade flavored even more amazing.

Dani (hungry!)

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,gourmet paddy
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 06:55 AM

Question: what do americans know about cheese Answer: the same as they know about beer....FECK ALL.

Was in the colonys recently and they had 100 versions of cheese in the mall and not one resembled proper stuff...

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 08:53 AM

What idiot buys cheese in a mall? There is your first problem, snobbish visitor.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: EBarnacle
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 09:36 AM

Sorry, SRS, but you are wrong. I used to work in a cheese shop in a mall, which is where I came to appreciate double Gloucester and other really good cheeses.

A good double Gloucester goes well with bacon and tomato on rye for grilled cheese, as does an aged cheddar or gruyere.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 11:14 AM

Was this a US mall? Usually the only place selling cheese (and then only seasonally) is Hickory Farms in their holiday stands out in the middle of the walkway. They have the packaged varieties, everything the same size, sampling based upon only one or two products.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 01:16 PM

Good cheddar is common in Canadian markets. Balderson (Canadian) comes in 1, 2, 3 and 5 year; the latter is a bit too strong for me.

Armstrong cheeses are good value. Their cheddar blocks come in extra old, old, medium and mild (we use the two oldest, excellent value. Their extra old has no coloring.
They also make some light cheeses.
Here is the Armstrong "gourmet grilled cheese recipe:

8 slices multigrain bread
260 g Armstrong cheese, freshly grated
Olive tomato spread

Olive tomato spread:
100 grams pitted black olives
1 roasted garlic clove
8 medium semi-dry tomatoes
5 teaspoons (25 ml) olive oil
10 fresh leaves, flat-leaf parsley
1/4 zest of lemon
Combine in food processor to light, chunky texture.

Assembly-
Lightly spread butter n both sides of bread.
On the inside of one slice, coat evenly with a small amount of the tomato-olive mixture. On the same slice grate cheddar (about 65 gram)
and close the sandwich.
Place buttered sides down in a frying pan at low heat until both sides are crisp and golden brown. Cut in half and serve.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 01:45 PM

There are some excellent cheeses made in the U. S. in small operations.
One of the best I have had is a cheddar (the Original)from Oregon State University (Food Dept).
New, look up their Beaver Classic cheese which can be ordered online- an alpine type cheese:

http://oregonstate.edu/main/cheese

"The original" (described above), mozzarella, Hop, Swiss, and some smoked.
Information on ordering which opens Sept. 5 at-
[e-mail]

Washington State University, Cougar Gold, in cans, is superb. Can keep for 10 years unopened in the fridge.
$18. for 30 oz can. Order at cougarcheese.wsu.edu

Their classic grilled cheese sandwiches:

Makes 4-
8 slices sourdough bread
4 tablespoons butter, room temp.
12 oz cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons tomato jam

Prepare in skillet, usual way.

Recipe for tomato jam to follow_

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Ed T
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 01:48 PM

I buy Armstrong old cheddar quite often.
I recommend it- where it is available.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 02:44 PM

Fingers crossed my brother sends the annual holiday gift of WSU cheese (Cougar Gold - the link is above) - the state university ag programs are figuring out that they not only can teach, they can make an income with those dairy product programs.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: EBarnacle
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:18 PM

This was in Woodbridge, New Jersey about 40 years ago. It was a minimum wage job but the benefits were great. Obviously, it was cutting edge at the time.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:20 PM

TOMATO JAM -
good for burgers, salmon and grilled cheese sandwiches.

6 large ripe tomatoes (1 1/2 lb.)
1 garlic clove, chopped finely
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Salt
(Use Roma tomatoes if not tomato season)

Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium low heat.
The medium should boil ever so slightly but not boil.
Cook for one hour , until it has thickened and most of liquid evaporated.
Cool. Can stay in fridge for about one week.

Copied from WSU site. Recipe by Charles Dale, chef at The Encantado Resort, Santa Fe.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:34 PM

Famous blue cheese developed at Iowa State University, made by Maytag Dairy Farms. Cave-aged. Buy online. Also other cheeses.

http://store.maytagdairyfarms.com.

A lot of these places with fine cheese. Search around.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Janie
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:50 PM

So many cheeses and wines...so little time.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Janie
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 04:01 PM

Hey - for me, the essence of grilled cheese is fast and comforting. Got bread? Got cheese that will melt? Got butter and a heat source? Got a can of soup? Cold, snowy, busy day at home with kids (from 5 to 99) - add some veggie sticks or a salad, and lunch or supper is ready! Your choice of Yahtzee, Rook or Sorry! for dessert.

Never thought about using mayo instead of butter, Dani. I'll definitely try that!

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 04:03 PM

Glengarry Fine cheese, Ontario, Canada.
That Dutchman's Farm, Nova Scotia.
A list of Canadian boutique cheese makers-
http://cheesefestival.ca/the-festival/cheesemakers

One makes water buffalo cheese. ??
------------
There are hundreds of fine cheesemakers in the U. S.
A specialty for over 100 years are blue cheeses; look for cave-aged. From Colorado, look for Midnight Blue cave-aged, from Avalanche Cheese Company, Paeonia, CO. Hard-to-get as resorts and restaurants take most of it.
American goat cheeses are served at fine resorts.

List of some of the cheese makers-
www.gourmetcheesedetective.com/American-artisanalcheeses.html

Look for them in better food stores; check for online sales as well..

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: LadyJean
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 12:26 AM

President Obama liked the pancakes at Pamela's. They're good, but I'd rather have one of their grilled cheese sandwiches.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 01:20 AM

Making beans on toast in the toaster did ot work for me. I now have a modern art installation on my kitchen ceiling!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 03:25 AM

Cheese and harissa paste toasties are my fave!

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,gourmet paddy
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 05:03 AM

How can anyone who slathers bacon and eggs with ginourmus amounts of maple syrup can call themselves food experts is beyond me,

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 10:19 AM

ah... classic lunch time meals from childhood... especially once we were old enough to be let loose in the kitchen on our own :)

grilled cheese & tomato soup... Ann Page was our preferred brand, though my grandfather - who grew up in south Jersey where they grew tomatoes for Campbells- swore by Campbells. The favorite family story was when a strike was threatened and he would advise everyone to stock up on tomato soup just in case there was a shortage... he bought two cans. He didn't understand the laughter...

the other soup & sandwich was Lipton chicken noodle soup (salt in a box) with a BLT...

and yes, the grilled cheese was done in a skillet... with loads of butter. Mom would sometimes use the wall oven, but it seemed easier on the stove for us kids.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 10:38 AM

The BLTs at my house are stand-alone meals. I make the bread, I grow the tomatoes. The rest is standard fare from the grocery store, though I've been meaning to start making mayonnaise. I only make them during the season of home-grown tomatoes so they are treated like sandwich royalty. And because the slices (bread and tomato) are generous, a sandwich is enough by itself for a meal.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,sciencgeek
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 11:23 AM

ummm... homegrown tomatoes...

our current location is good for cool weather crops & lousy for heat loving crops - even with all the tricks, the past 5 years have been horrible for anything other than cherry tomatoes. At least we have downhill neighbors with better micro climates & can get ours from them.

I'll admit that if I see a nice hothouse tomato I'll get it just to relieve the 9 month stretch of practically no garden.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 02:14 PM

Cherry tomatoes in a warm, sheltered location are the only sure crop here in Calgary. Some put out larger varieties each year, but in many years, they end up with fried green tomatoes.

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 02:25 PM

Some put out larger varieties each year, but in many years, they end up with fried green tomatoes... LOL

yeah... if they don't rot before then thanks to the cold & wet...

when folks mention that they never see green tomatoes in store, hubby repsonds... "oh yes you have, they are those orange hardballs you see shipped into the supermarket." :(

Subject: RE: BS: Grilled cheese sandwich
From: GUEST,
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 03:03 PM

There seems to be some confusion between 'toasters', where the bread is held vertically, and 'toasted sandwich makers', where the sandwich is held horizontally (so the beans don't slide off).

Also between grilling (heat source ABOVE the sandwich), where the top becomes crispy, and frying (heat applied from below), where the bottom becomes crispy.