Grilled Cheese Sandwich Plus Beer - Make Every Party Better
We all know the classic grilled cheese sandwich: two pieces of toasty, buttery bread with a slice or two of ooey-gooey melted cheese in between.
This comfort food staple has become synonymous with cozy movie nights and quick one-dish meals but did you know that it is so much more than meets the eye? Grilled cheese sandwiches can be elevated to something magnificently flavorful if done right!
In this post, we’ll explore why they make a great party dish, what flavors work best together, how to build an amazing version of this savory treat — plus tips on pairing beer for maximum deliciousness. So come along as we venture into freshly made heaven – a warm and tasty destination that truly puts the ‘party’ in any party!
Grilled Cheese Sandwich History
Grilled cheese sandwiches have been around since time immemorial (or at least since 1928 when sliced bread was invented). Throughout history they have been beloved by children and adults alike who love their combination of melty goodness rolled up in gorgeous golden-brown crust. They’re easy to make, require few ingredients, and can be customized easily with different cheeses and additions.
Types of Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
The possibilities for grilled cheese sandwich combinations are practically endless; you can use different kinds of melting cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, American), fruits or vegetables, herbs or spices, condiments such as BBQ sauce or mustard…you name it! The best thing about these sandwiches is that there really isn’t any set recipe — your imagination is your only limit when creating an amazing variation.
The Best Way to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Now for the fun part — how do you create the perfect grilled cheese sandwich? Start with some good quality bread. You want something sturdy but not too thick so it will cook evenly without burning before the inside is properly melted.
Some suggestions would be sourdough, wheat bread, French baguettes…really anything goes depending on your personal preference. Next comes the cheese: pick something that melts nicely such as cheddar or Swiss for maximum gooeiness.
Now for fillings- tomatoes (sliced thin) are always a classic choice as are onions (caramelized first if desired). If you’re feeling adventurous try adding other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach—the possibilities really are endless here!
Once you’ve got your ingredients ready simply spread each piece of bread with butter on both sides. Once all four slices are ready stack them up adding layers of filling where desired then top off with one last slice of buttered bread before putting into a preheated pan over medium/low heat (the lower heat will allow the inside to melt without burning).
Cook until golden brown on both sides then enjoy while hot!
What Beer Pairs Well With Grilled Cheese Sandwiches?
For those aged 21+ beer pairs especially well with grilled cheese sandwiches – think creamy stouts like Guinness Draft that complement its richness perfectly or India Pale Ales for some hoppy bitterness offset summer fruitiness found naturally in most cheeses. Lagers also pair great with milder versions like American or Swiss – giving any meal an extra malt kick sure to please anyone’s palate.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes To Try Out
If you’re looking for ideas here are some great recipes to get started:
Classic Melty Cheddar: Spread 2 slices white bread lightly with mayonnaise on one side and yellow mustard on the other then layer slices of sharp cheddar and sweet onion before topping off with another slice of mayo/mustard-covered bread and grilling until crisp & golden brown – Serve alongside honey mustard dipping sauce & french fries for maximum flavor experience!
Pesto Mozzarella Boosted Burger Melt: Spread pesto onto 2 thick slices sourdough then top one side each with burger patty followed by provolone & mozzarella slices then place remaining pesto covered pieces atop everything – Grill in skillet until heated through & just starting to caramelize around edges – top finished sandwich off with another dollop of pesto before serving warm alongside salad tossed in vinaigrette dressing!
15 Tips to Make the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Choose your bread wisely – use something sturdy like sourdough or French baguettes that won’t break up when grilled but still has enough air pockets to provide some crunch.
- Don’t skimp on cheese – high-quality melting cheeses such as cheddar and Swiss are key for a gooey, delicious sandwich.
- Don’t overfill – too much filling will make for an uneven cook and wonky looking sandwich.
- Start with preheated pan – getting the pan nice and hot before adding your sandwiches will help them cook faster but evenly without burning the outside before the inside is melted!
- Butter both sides of bread – this will help them get golden brown quickly without having to flip too often or risk burning one side while waiting for the other side to toast up properly.
- Utilize fillings – add flavor and texture by layering in lots of veggies like peppers, tomatoes, caramelized onions, roasted mushrooms etc..
- Get creative with condiments – mustard, BBQ sauce, honey… all can offer a little bit of extra tanginess which brings out the best flavors in grilled cheese sandwiches!
- Upgrade your cheese selection – try mixing two kinds of cheese together (cheddar/Gouda) or even switch out regular shredded pieces for pre-sliced slices which melt evenly every time!
- Use multiple pans – if you’re making a lot of sandwiches for a party try using multiple smaller pans so you can spread out the sandwiches without overcrowding any one pan — this will cut down on cook time significantly!
- For best results cook low & slow – keeping heat low on pan ensures even melting without burning bread or ruining your lovely fillings you worked so hard on assembling beforehand!
- Get warm & stay warm – keep finished sandwiches warm by transferring them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in an oven set around 200 degrees F until ready to serve — this keeps everything from getting soggy due overcooking/reheating process later on!
- Spice it up – sprinkle some herbs or spices into mix like oregano, thyme, paprika etc… just enough to give it that extra pizzazz that makes all the difference between good & truly special grilled cheese sandwich experience!
- Add Some Crunch – top off your beautiful creation with some crunchy accompaniments like crumbled cooked bacon bits (or vegetarian alternative), crushed tortilla chips etc… these additions always add unexpected texture plus they look great too!
- Pair it Properly – nothing pairs better with a great grilled cheese than beer; choose something light like an American pale ale or malty stout depending on what kind of flavors you are going for in terms of taste profile & presentation overall!
- Have Fun & Experiment – above all don’t be afraid to let loose & get creative; after all nothing beats seeing smiles lighting up faces around table when everyone bites into delicious work of art crafted from few simple ingredients lit up with just right amount love & care put into perfecting dish from start finish!