What is a Grilled Cheese
What are the three essential components of a grilled cheese?
Bread, "shmear", cheese.
Which ancient civilization first ate melted cheese on bread?
Ancient Romans.
What’s the traditional shmear used on grilled cheese?
Butter
Name one bread used for grilled cheese.
White, sourdough, brioche, etc.
Heat level should you cook a grilled cheese on?
Medium-low heat.
What texture should the inside of a grilled cheese be?
Soft, gooey, melted.
What major event helped spread grilled cheese nationwide?
WWII
What key advantage does mayo have over butter in spreading?
Spreads easier and more evenly.
Name one melt friendly cheese?
American, cheddar, Swiss, provolone, etc.
How many minutes per side should you cook the sandwich?
2-3 minutes
What is the most important part of the grilled cheese?
Its all important! Without one element it is not what it is.
Name the company whose processed cheese made grilled cheese accessible and popular.
Kraft
Why does mayo burn less easily than butter?
Mayo has a higher smoke point.
What’s one optional add-in you can put inside a grilled cheese?
Tomato, bacon, onions, jalapeños, avocado, ham.
What’s one reason your grilled cheese might burn before the cheese melts?
Heat is too high / uneven spreading.
How many grilled cheese's does the average American eat in their lifetime?
300
What invention in the 1920's helped create modern grilled cheese sandwiches?
Pre-sliced bread
What flavor advantage does mayo add to a grilled cheese?
A Subtle tang
Most important cooking tool for flipping the sandwich?
A spatula.
Why should you rest the sandwich before slicing?
To prevent cheese from spilling out.
Why is grilled cheese considered “creative” despite being simple?
endlessly customizable with different breads, cheeses, and add-ins.
What is the name of the Ancient Roman cookbook where "grilled cheese" was first discovered?
Apicius
List three reasons mayo creates a more consistent crust than butter.
Even spread, higher smoke point, crisp golden texture.
Kind of pan surface is ideal for cooking grilled cheese evenly?
Non-stick skillet or griddle.
What does consistent spreading result in?
Perfect Browning