Grilled Cheese Tasting Night

[Macanudo 13,014]

Just one of those stupid things you decide to do because, well, why not?

I don't make them nearly as often as I used to but I still like a good one every now and then.   I normally make them with Sharp Cheddar.   When the Macanudo-ettes were younger I used Kraft singles but I personally think a good Sharp Cheddar is the way to go. 

The cheeses for tonight:  Sharp Cheddar, regular American Cheese, Kraft singles, Gouda and Butterkase.   Threw that last one in just to try something really mild.    For bread, I went with sourdough.   Spread on some Land O' Lakes and fired up an electric skillet due to the larger surface area than a regular pan. 

Macanudo-ette #1 preferred the regular American over the others.   Macanudo-ette #2 and I remain steadfast in the belief that sharp cheddar is the way to go.   Kraft was, well, Kraft.   The gouda was good but fairly mild.  The butterkase was very mild.   

Yes, this is the way suburban dads spend their President's Day.

 

[BlueGreySky 1,032]

We go to a grilled cheese competition every year.  I'll throw in my general formula for a good sammich. 

-I use mayo instead of butter on the outside of the bread.  It creates the perfect crust and is easy to spread and get full coverage.  Can't taste it AT ALL for those who are going to bitch at me for using mayo.

-I toast the inside of each slice before adding the cheese and toasting the outside.

-Typically use 2 cheese for any given year (sometimes three)

-And yes, sourdough FTW.

[Steamboat1874 4,085]

Try a grilled peanut butter and jelly (whatever you prefer).....you will not be disappointed.

[LonghornJones 837]

Pics would be great in this thread. A nice tomato soup with the grilled cheese works really well.

[Landomatic 3,813]

Grilled cheese is greatness, but I haven't ever noticed much range from one to the next.  They're all about the same.  Just not a complex enough food.

All the little tricks really don't have much impact on the taste.  Mayo rather than butter...just easier to work with, no difference in taste.  Toast the inside...slightly crunchier, not necessarily better.  Different kinds of cheese...totally personal preference.

The worst I've ever had is burnt, usually on one side and it's served with that side down to try to hide the fact.  The best I've ever had is about the same only not burnt.

Lots of foods I could easily score on a 1-10 scale as they have that much range from shitty to great.  Grilled cheese is more like a 1-3 scale.  Worst one a 1, best one a 3.  Most everything else falls to about a 2.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,821]

I usually combine some type of cheese with american slices.  Not singles, but the white american cheese (no racist!).  Havarti, sharp cheddar, muenster are all good.  And plus one on the mayo instead of butter, although my wife thinks it will rank up the iron skillet so I use butter when she's around.

[Landomatic 3,813]

22 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

it will rank up the iron skillet

Is that a real thing?

[Steamboat1874 4,085]

The bread is very important here.

Sliced tomatoes is a nice add and of course bacon is as well.

[Jack Straw 2,954]

i am a fan.  had a grilled cheese at Clark's earlier this week.  i'd never really thought to order that there before because there are so many other great seafood options, but damn, it was next level GC.  big thick slices of sourdough, tons of melted gruyere,  with some warm sofrito served on the side.  

Edited February 20, 2019 by Jack Straw

[Js1 85,587]

1 hour ago, LonghornJones said:

Pics would be great in this thread. 

Yes, I'm having trouble seeing pics.  Must be borked again? 

I can't imagine any dumbass would start a thread about grilled cheeses and not post pics.  Seems stupid. 

[Steamboat1874 4,085]

[Hank_Hill 18,896]

While those look delicious, at some point its not a grilled cheese anymore. I'd say the addition of both a meat and a vegetable is that point. 

Edited February 20, 2019 by Hank_Hill

[elfenix 34,334]

i used mayo once and it was off putting.  not sure why that is.  used blue plate.

[Landomatic 3,813]

18 minutes ago, Hank_Hill said:

While those look delicious, at some point its not a grilled cheese anymore. I'd say the addition of both a meat and a vegetable is that point. 

This ^

If you want a thread for different warm sandwiches with melted cheese...that’s a different story.   Maybe...maaaaaaybe adding one meat still qualifies (I once had a lobster one that was close), but there’s a line that needs to be drawn here.  I mean, if not, then my favorite “grilled cheese” has meatballs and marinara on it.  Or maybe steak, peppers and onions on it.

[Hank_Hill 18,896]

Do want that kimchi grilled cheese tho

[Landomatic 3,813]

18 minutes ago, Hank_Hill said:

Do want that kimchi grilled cheese tho

Yeah that thing looks sick.  Okay so one veggie or one meat and that’s it.  There’s the line

[futureman 22,550]

6 hours ago, Steamboat1874 said:

[Spur08 382]

While those look delicious, at some point its not a grilled cheese anymore. I'd say the addition of both a meat and a vegetable is that point. 

You don't know how wrong you are. A pair of nice toasted Texas white with mayo on the back combined with some melted sharp cheddar and leftover brisket. Just beautiful

[Steamboat1874 4,085]

I did not start this thread...

Only suggested bacon on a grilled cheese and obliged the "need pics" suggestion.

Will post pics of grilled cheese sandwiches tomorrow.

But while I am here I suggest you grill some thin apple slices in the melted butter and then add them to the sandwich with the cheese of your choice before you grill it in the same pan.

[Steamboat1874 4,085]

Grilled cheese images assholes.....

[Landomatic 3,813]

20 hours ago, Steamboat1874 said:

^^^

Grilled cheese?  No.

Toasted BLT with cheese?  Yes.

[Brew 3,049]

12 hours ago, Spur08 said:

15 hours ago, Hank_Hill said:

While those look delicious, at some point its not a grilled cheese anymore. I'd say the addition of both a meat and a vegetable is that point. 

You don't know how wrong you are. A pair of nice toasted Texas white with mayo on the back combined with some melted sharp cheddar and leftover brisket. Just beautiful

That sounds like an awesome sandwich. However, that does not sound like a grilled cheese.

My oldest kid eats a grilled cheese at least once or twice a week. She prefers a mix of shredded cheese piled up on it rather than sliced cheese. I’ve never tried it to see what the difference is. She may just be communist though.

[Coyote 269]

Fresh sliced jalapeno and cheddar is all that is needed on a grilled cheese. 

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4,977]

From Reddit, but I feel like it adequately explains my opinion.

You people make me sick.

A grilled cheese consists of only these following items. Cheese. Bread with spread (usually butter). This entire subreddit consist of "melts". Almost every "grilled cheese" sandwich i see on here has other items added to it. The fact that this subreddit is called "grilledcheese" is nothing short of utter blasphemy. Let me start out by saying I have nothing against melts, I just hate their association with sandwiches that are not grilled cheeses. Adding cheese to your tuna sandwich? It's called a Tuna melt. Totally different. Want to add bacon and some pretentious bread crumbs with spinach? I don't know what the hell you'd call that but it's not a grilled cheese. I would be more than willing to wager I've eaten more grilled cheeses in my 21 years than any of you had in your entire lives. I have one almost everyday and sometimes more than just one sandwich. Want to personalize your grilled cheese? Use a mix of different cheeses or use sourdough or french bread. But if you want to add some pulled pork and take a picture of it, make your own subreddit entitled "melts" because that is not a fucking grilled cheese. I'm not a religious man nor am I anything close to a culinary expert. But as a bland white mid-western male I am honestly the most passionate person when it comes to grilled cheese and mac & cheese. All of you foodies stay the hell away from our grilled cheeses and stop associating your sandwich melts with them. Yet again, it is utter blasphemy and it rocks me to the core of my pale being. Shit, I stopped lurking after 3 years and made this account for the sole purpose of posting this. I've seen post after post of peoples "grilled cheeses" all over reddit and it's been driving me insane. The moment i saw this subreddit this morning I finally snapped. Hell, I may even start my own subreddit just because I know this one exists now.

You god damn heretics. Respect the grilled cheese and stop changing it into whatever you like and love it for it what it is. Or make your damn melt sandwich and call it for what it is. A melt.[/qoute]

[Bat Guano 359]

Grilled cheese with ham is allsome.

[ztejas 43,543]

On 2/18/2019 at 8:17 PM, BlueGreySky said:

-I use mayo instead of butter on the outside of the bread.

This 100%

[EuroHorn 3,269]

How about the triple coronary bypass burger which includes a bacon grilled cheese sandwich?

 

Edited February 21, 2019 by EuroHorn

[formermav43 4,606]

3 hours ago, Brew said:

That sounds like an awesome sandwich. However, that does not sound like a grilled cheese.

My oldest kid eats a grilled cheese at least once or twice a week. She prefers a mix of shredded cheese piled up on it rather than sliced cheese. I’ve never tried it to see what the difference is. She may just be communist though.

The grated cheese definitely melts better than sliced, IMO. I use it as long as I’m not feeling too lazy. (Grated yourself, of course-the prepackaged stuff doesn’t melt as well.)

Oh and another vote for grilled cheese purists here.

Edited February 21, 2019 by formermav43

[Steamboat1874 4,085]

Someone makes a burger with 2 grilled cheese sandwiches as buns.

Sounds awesome but cannot remember who it is.

Easy enough to do at home though.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,821]

20 hours ago, Landomatic said:

This ^

If you want a thread for different warm sandwiches with melted cheese...that’s a different story.   Maybe...maaaaaaybe adding one meat still qualifies (I once had a lobster one that was close), but there’s a line that needs to be drawn here.  I mean, if not, then my favorite “grilled cheese” has meatballs and marinara on it.  Or maybe steak, peppers and onions on it.

PSA - the lobster grilled cheese and tomato soup at Garbo's is pretty fucking good.

[RMac5 1,551]

There is a grilled cheese street cart in Telluride that has great sandwiches. It’s an older lady that has been there forever, no telling how many sandwiches she sells a day. 

[DoobieWah 1,463]

I picked up some ghost pepper laced cheddar at Trader Joe's yesterday that is destined for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Entirely due to this thread, I made a bacon grilled cheese last week. I used extra sharp cheddar and instead of buttering the bread, I drained most, (but not all) of the fat from the bacon, added a pat of butter to the pan and toasted the sandwich in the bacon fat/butter. It worked.

Edited February 22, 2019 by DoobieWah

[HornOnTheBayou 8,947]

1 hour ago, DoobieWah said:

I picked up some ghost pepper laced cheddar at Trader Joe's yesterday that is destined for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Entirely due to this thread, I made a bacon grilled cheese last week. I used extra sharp cheddar and instead of buttering the bread, I drained most, (but not all) of the fat from the bacon, added a pat of butter to the pan and toasted the sandwich in the bacon fat/butter. It worked.

Yep, that's my go-to method.

[ChickenSandwich 9,853]

miss Henry's on Burnet.  Their lunch grilled cheese and tomato soup combo was a hidden gem

[Bat Guano 359]

4 hours ago, DoobieWah said:

I picked up some ghost pepper laced cheddar at Trader Joe's yesterday that is destined for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Entirely due to this thread, I made a bacon grilled cheese last week. I used extra sharp cheddar and instead of buttering the bread, I drained most, (but not all) of the fat from the bacon, added a pat of butter to the pan and toasted the sandwich in the bacon fat/butter. It worked.

Why didn't you just use the bacon fat, skip the butter?

[DoobieWah 1,463]

Because "Butter".

[Bat Guano 359]

26 minutes ago, DoobieWah said:

Because "Butter".

But on the other hand, "Bacon Grease."

[F250 28,823]

My roommate in college used to make grilled cheese with mayonnaise and I thought he was a heathen for it. This thread has me reconsidering my previous judgment. I'll need to give it a try and text him an apology if it works out.

 

[Hank_Hill 18,896]

It's about the same honestly, just much more convenient. 

[Surly Bevo 25,166]

When I was hungover in college nothing hit the spot quite like a Sonic grilled cheese or two and a big coke

[Landomatic 3,813]

42 minutes ago, Hank_Hill said:

It's about the same honestly, just much more convenient. 

This234

[Deej 76,941]

Grilled cheese made with white bread, American cheese slices, and about a stick of butter, with pickles and original Lays potato chips on the side is my comfort food.

[Jack Straw 2,954]

On 2/22/2019 at 6:21 PM, Deej said:

Grilled cheese made with white bread, American cheese slices, and about a stick of butter, with pickles and original Lays potato chips on the side is my comfort food.

one of mine too.  keepin' it simple sometimes is best in life.  that said, white american cheese slices is even better.

[Surly Bevo 25,166]

Mix in some well made tomato soup and you've got yourself some next level badass eating

[WhatTheBuck 28,801]

I almost always use Swiss cheese. I melt butter in the pan and swirl the bread around in it to soak it up. Goes great with a bowl of Campbell's Bean with Bacon soup. 

[Landomatic 3,813]

7 hours ago, Jack Straw said:

that said, white american cheese slices is even better.

Somewhat racist

[DoobieWah 1,463]

Make American (Cheese) Grilled Again!

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,821]

On 2/24/2019 at 8:12 AM, Jack Straw said:

one of mine too.  keepin' it simple sometimes is best in life.  that said, white american cheese slices is even better.

Yeah the HEB white American slices (not singles) are pretty good, no food coloring.