Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
This recipe guides you through crafting a classic grilled cheese sandwich, elevated with the addition of crispy bacon and fresh tomato slices. It focuses on achieving a perfectly golden, crispy crust and fully melted cheese by cooking slowly over medium-low heat. It's an easy yet satisfying dish, perfect for a hearty lunch or quick meal.
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet Preferably non-stick or cast iron for even browning
- 1 Spatula Wide and sturdy for easy flipping
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Butter Knife or Spreader
Ingredients
Main
- 8 slices smoked bacon cooked and broken into 1-inch pieces,
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes sliced, and drained on paper towels for 5 minutes
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Place 4 slices of bread on a cutting board and generously butter the top sides of each slice. Melt another tablespoon of the butter in the skillet; swirl around to coat the pan.
- Lay 2 slices of bread, buttered side down, in the skillet. Put a few slices of the cheese on the bread. Lay the bacon, tomato, or ham on top of the cheese. Cover with a few more slices of cheese. Top with 2 of the remaining slices of bread, placed buttered-side up. Cook, without pressing, until the bread browns and the cheese is slightly melted, about 5 minutes. Turn the sandwiches with a spatula and add a small hazelnut-size piece of butter to the pan. Cook slowly, adjusting the heat as needed to melt the cheese completely before the sandwiches are brown, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Repeat with the other 2 sandwiches. Serve.
Notes
1. Achieving the perfect grilled cheese hinges on low and slow cooking. This allows the buttered bread to develop a deep golden-brown crust while the cheese melts thoroughly without burning the exterior. Adjust heat constantly. 2. For an extra crisp texture, consider using a mix of butter and a neutral oil (like grapeseed) for cooking. The oil raises the smoke point, preventing the butter from burning too quickly. 3. Use room temperature butter for easier spreading. 4. Experiment with different cheese blends for complex flavors; a combination of a good melting cheese (like Monterey Jack) and a flavorful one (like Gruyere) works wonders. 5. Drain tomatoes well to prevent a soggy sandwich.