Cheese sandwich
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Alternate name(s) | Grilled cheese sandwich, Cheese toast, Toasted cheese |
| Dish details | |
| Serving temperature | Cold/hot |
| Main ingredient(s) | Cheese and bread |
| Variations | Multiple |
A cheese sandwich is a basic sandwich made generally with one or more slices of cheese on untoasted, toasted, or grilled (technically fried or broiled) bread. The grilled variety, called a grilled (or toasted) cheese sandwich, is perhaps the most widely known, especially outside of the home.
Contents |
[edit] Cheese sandwich (ungrilled)
An ungrilled or re-grilled cheese sandwich (which is almost universally spoken of without the "ungrilled" adjective) is the older of the two bold varieties, and also is generally more fundamental, without the possible addition of bacon, tomato and other ingredients that one finds in the case of the grilled cheese sandwich. (If these were added, the sandwich in most cases would be known as a "Bacon-and-cheese sandwich" or a "Tomato-and-cheese sandwich".[1][2])
The bread, which can take any form--split baguettes are most common in France and Belgium, for example, versus vertically sliced loaf bread in North America and the United Kingdom--is toasted or left untoasted, and filled with swiss or emmental (popular throughout North America and Europe), cheddar cheese (The UK and North America), American cheese (North America), brie or camembert (France and Belgium), gouda (the Netherlands and Germany), or any of a vast number of other less widely bought cheeses. In Europe, especially, the sandwiches can be easily found in bakeries (sometimes with butter spread onto the bread), and also at snack bars and more casual restaurants.
[edit] Grilled cheese sandwich
A grilled cheese sandwich is a grilled (actually fried) or broiled sandwich consisting of two slices of bread (usually buttered) with cheese melted in between, sometimes combined with an additional ingredient such as peppers, tomatoes or onions. It is a simple variation on the normal cheese sandwich, and is sometimes known as that (a normal cheese sandwich) without any qualification. A variety of different names denote the same sandwich, such as cheese toastie or toasted cheese sandwich; in England and New Zealand it goes by toastie, in Australia it is commonly called a cheese jaffle, and in the Netherlands it is called a tosti.
[edit] History
The grilled cheese sandwich began in the 1920s in the U.S. with the widespread availability of sliced bread and processed cheese. It was originally made as an open sandwich, but the top slice of bread became common by the 1960s.[3] The sandwich can now be found on many menus across the United States.
At the Grilled Cheese Invitational cook-off (held annually in Los Angeles), contestants attempt to cook the best grilled cheese sandwich in various categories. The 2008 winner of the Grilled Cheese Invitational "Spaz Trophy" (awarded for overall "weirdness") was the "Cake and Mivens" a dessert grilled cheese sandwich that featured the peeps confectionery.
On November 23, 2004, a grilled cheese sandwich containing a likeness of the Virgin Mary was sold at auction for $28,000.[4]
[edit] Preparation
A grilled cheese sandwich can be made in a variety of ways, depending on both the region and personal preference. Ironically, none of the usual methods utilize an American style grill.
In the United States, the outside of the assembled sandwich is usually buttered before being fried. The sandwich may be cooked with a griddle, pan, or cast iron skillet. When the bottom of the sandwich is golden brown, it is flipped and cooked on the other side.[5] The sandwich is finished when both sides are toasted and the cheese has melted. In an alternative "pan method," butter or oil is first heated in the pan in which the unbuttered sandwich is then cooked.
A second technique is to make the sandwich in a toaster oven. With this method, a slice of cheese is placed on each slice of bread, and the two halves are separately toasted. The sandwich is then carefully combined at the end, with the two separate slices of cheese bonding to hold the sandwich together.[5] A regular oven or a sandwich toaster can also be used. This method is more common in the United Kingdom where the sandwiches are called "toasties."
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Meals For You
- ^ Food from the Fillmore East
- ^ "Food Timeline-- history notes: sandwiches". http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsandwiches.html#grilledcheese. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ BBC News Retrieved November 24, 2008.
- ^ a b How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich Retrieved November 24, 2008.
[edit] External links
 |
Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on |
- Food Network Recipes: Grilled Cheese
- The Grilled Cheese Invitational competition
- 9 Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes to Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Month
