I have great news, folks! According to my Celebrate Everything calendar, April 12 is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Celebrating this classic sandwich, which doubles as a major comfort food, is some fun I can get behind.
While I spent my childhood nibbling on the standard interpretation of the grilled cheese—bread, butter, and cheese—I’ve come to love several grown-up versions even more.
Grilled Cheese and Fried Egg Sandwich
You know what’s great? A grilled cheese and fried egg sandwich on homemade sourdough bread. You’ll need to fry the egg first. Next, butter two slices of bread and place (buttered-side down) on the pan. Place your favorite raw milk cheddar (I’m a fan of the sharp variety) on top, then slide egg in the middle. While I haven’t figured out how to make this without a broken egg yolk yet, I’ll keep trying.
Grilled Caprese Sandwich
You probably know this combination best in its salad form: fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil. Well, it’s freaking delicious as a sandwich as well. And it’s insanely fresh if you can manage thinly sliced tomatoes and chopped basil right from your own garden. If want a fantastic recipe for making fresh mozzarella in your own kitchen, keep an eye out for Phyllis Quinn’s updated version of Udderly Cultured, available soon from SRP.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon Jam and Chèvre
A couple years ago, my hubby made a batch of bacon jam to give to our bacon-loving neighbor for the holidays. We kept a small jar for ourselves and somehow came up with the idea to put it on a grilled cheese sandwich. Regular ol’ cheese didn’t seem to make sense for this one, so we pulled some soft chèvre from the refrigerator and slathered it on sprouted grain bread along with the bacon jam. Wowza! Seriously.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Dijon Mustard
It’s funny how adding an ordinary ingredient to a basic dish can completely transform them both. I got the idea to add Dijon mustard to grilled cheese sandwiches from some cooking show. Being a fan of pretty much any kind of mustard, I gave it a try. The Dijon and cheese fused into a tangy creaminess for a truly scrumptious twist. I also learned from the same show that grated cheese melts more evenly than sliced. It works like a charm every time.
Pay homage to the humble grilled cheese sandwich tomorrow by whipping up your favorite version. Add the soup and/or salad of your choice for a quick meal that always satisfies.
What’s your most beloved version of this classic sandwich?
Image from iStock/henryalien.
Paula Widish, author of Trophia: Simple Steps to Everyday Self-Health, is a freelance writer and self-healther. She loves nothing more than sharing tidbits of information she discovers with others. (Actually, she loves her family more than that—and probably bacon too.) Paula has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Relations and is a Certified Professional Life Coach through International Coach Academy.
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Love these recipes, Paula!