National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day celebrated on April 12th recognizes one of the top comfort foods in the United States. Grilled cheese has nothing to hide — it knows all you really want to eat is cheese and bread in all their golden, melty glory and it’s not gonna judge you for it. While not really sure where or how this started – who cares? Grilled Cheese sandwiches are the kind of super comfort food you can tweak to make the perfect breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND midnight snack!
According to food historians, many cultures around the world have enjoyed cooked bread and cheese since ancient times, but the United States’ modern version of the grilled cheese sandwich originated in the 1920s. As sliced bread and American cheese became easily available, Americans began making open-faced grilled cheese sandwiches. Grilled cheese sandwiches are versatile thanks to the ability to mix and match cheeses, bread, and seasonings. Adding sauteed vegetables or herb-infused oils can elevate this simple comfort food to a whole other level.
If you want to be a Grilled Cheese “Master,” you need to start with the basics: Considering how many kinds of bread and melty cheese are out there, the grilled cheese is actually endlessly adaptable. So rather than focus on the parts, the Food Network has broken it down for you into foolproof grilled cheese in 10 minutes or less, combining a bread, a cheese, one of three cooking techniques (panini press, skillet, baking sheet) with one of three cooking fats (butter, mayonnaise, oil) and there you have it. Feel free to try all nine – or create your very own!
One of the great things about Grilled Cheese Sandwiches is that there are so many variations. You can let your imagination get cheesy with it and consider making an Eggplant Parmesan Grilled Cheese, or how about a Kimchi Grilled Cheese? Cranberry Brie Grilled Cheese? Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese? The possibilities are really endless. You can have fun with the kids, and use cookie cutters to cut out fun-shaped sandwich variations. And don’t forget to post your creations on social media with #NationalGrilledCheeseSandwichDay.
Oh, and don’t forget to “Say Cheese!”
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