The Perfect Grilled Cheese

It has been a while since I’ve sat down to write – it’s not that I haven’t had anything to say, only that I’ve had so much to say that it has been almost overwhelming to start. So, as is human nature, when faced with too much to do, I did nothing. However, today the perfect grilled cheese has inspired me to sit down and at least tell this tale.

It has been a hectic weekend; filled with family, play dates, housework and generally quite exhausting. We’ve been on the go from sun up to sun down all weekend long and we’ve finally settled into a late, lazy Sunday afternoon. The grandiose plans I had for the thawed pork chops in my refrigerator give way to the exhaustion of a well played weekend.

Pizza runs through my mind. But after a shocking review of my spending habits over the last few months I have resolved to dig into my very full pantry and reduce the fast food habit. Spaghetti? Nah. Too much effort. Left over Fettuccine Alfredo from last night? Nope. I was saving that for tomorrow’s lunch. Eggs and pancakes for dinner? Eh. I don’t like eggs and I’d have to find something else for myself. My eyes rest on the package of sliced sharp cheddar. EUREKA!

“Bit Bit! I’m making grilled cheese for dinner, how many sandwiches do you want?” “Mom. I want two. And can we have them with cheddar?”

Big Bit's answer speaks volumes to the ritual we have established in finding the perfect grilled cheese. Sometimes we forget how much these simple comfort foods trigger happy memories. I consider my method of making grilled cheese to be the lazy method, but if you even attempt to make it differently in front of Big Bit he will correct you immediately.

Stacks of bread handy, cheese out and butter separated into pats I am ready to begin. My skillet is over medium heat as I drop a pat onto it. Spreading it around I then set a slice of bread down, allowing it to absorb the sizzling butter. I am too lazy to wait for the butter to soften appropriately for bread spreading and so I use the pan to help me. Another pat sizzles and down goes another slice of bread. Then, the all important cheese. No processed American stuff for us. Grilled cheese HAS to be made with cheddar. Two slices and then the top of the sandwich.

Now the tricky party – you have to balance your need for a quick meal with the desire for the perfectly grilled sandwich. Heat too low and the sandwiches take far too long to be ready. Heat too high and you wind up with black bread and cold cheese. As the first side hits the golden brown, buttery crisp stage I lift up the sandwich, throw down another pat of butter and…flip!

The boys get their sandwiches first. Part of the perfection is when you bite into that slightly salty, buttery crisp, warm gooey cheese sandwich and it must be served hot! This means I make my sandwiches last. But boy are they worth it. It’s amazing when you are taken back to that comfort level. I have been creative in my grilled cheese quest. I have experimented with French baguettes, sourdough, smoked cheddar, Swiss, gouda but sometimes there is just no substitute for a good, old fashioned cheddar and honey wheat grilled cheese.  And lucky me…Big Bit decides one sandwich is enough for him…MORE FOR ME!!!