Grilled/toasted cheese sandwich. How do you make yours?

[Chowhound]

So what is your technique on making what is called either a grilled or toasted cheese sandwich?

I remember my mother buttering both pieces of bread on one side and then building the sandwich, and that's how I started making them way back when. Not anymore though. Now I drop the butter into a pan or onto a griddle and when it melts I lay the sandwich in the butter and move it around a little to help it soak up the butter, Then I pick it up with a spatula/flipper, redistribute the butter, add more if necessary, and do the same to the other side. That leaves me two perfectly buttered sides and nothing left but to let it cook and flip one more time to finish.
If the sandwich is strictly cheese I don't use a lid. If it has ham, onion, tomato or something else in it I use a lid to help the inside cook.
I don't get overzealous with the ingredients and keep it thin because after all, it's a toasted cheese sandwich :)

And you?

[jimbo]

I do mine on a double burner CI grill as follows:
Grill 1 side of 2 slices of bread in on a buttered preheated grill.
Assemble sandwich with grilled side in.
Grill sandwich, turning once. I preheat the grill wit a 10 inch square CI skillet atop. This becomes my press.

If I am using ham or other meat, that is precooked and assembled warm.

[Mama]

I butter mine the same as you Chow...melt the butter in the pan and then dip the bread in the butter and move it around to get an even coating of butter. I then use cheese, Velveeta is my favorite for grilled cheese, and maybe bacon or ham and sliced tomatoes. I never use a lid. I cook mine over low heat. It takes a little longer but the outside gets REALLY crispy without getting burned.

[homecook]

I still butter my bread. hehe I'll add my cheese, bacon, tomato, ham whatever put the other buttered slice of bread on. Let the first side crisp up, flip til that side gets browned, put on a plate............eat!
I never use a lid either.

[Chowhound]

That's really interesting, Jimbo. I love the idea of preheating your "press", or even using a press in the first place. Who needs a panini press? lol
The toasting both sides is new to me, too.
I'm glad I asked this.

[jimbo]

The bottom of the skillet is the best press I have ever found. I toast the interior of the bread as I like my bread crispy.

That press works well for bacon, also.

[suziquzie]

I don't use butter anymore I just spray the bread w/ Pam now..... I got all healthy at one point and never went back to using the butter when I gave up. :D
Just habit now I suppose.

[PaniniGuy]

Butter the bread, press some Parmesan cheese onto it and fill it with 3 or 4 cheeses, OHHH it is good! Be sure to slow cook it.

[Big Daddy's House]

Either on the George Foreman Grill or in a cast iron skillet.

[Chowhound]

That's too easy, Suzi, just spraying the bread, lol.

I like that idea of pressing cheese onto the outside of the sandwich, Panini.

No butter, Sherm? You toast the bread dry?

[Big Daddy's House]

Either a bit of Old Country Crock on the outside of the sammies or some buttery-flavored
cooking spray.

[Chowhound]

So you're a bread butterer then.

Actually, yesterday when I was making the sandwiches, I almost tried brushing them with EVOO just to see. I make garlic bread using EVOO most of the time, it certainly couldn't hurt a toasted cheese sandwich.

[LDSmominthekitchen]

I always butter the bread, offten adding one slice of deli-thin ham. Or if I;m feeling lazy I tost the bread in my toster, and pop the sandwichin the micowave. (some times i only micowave one slice of bread with the ham&cheeze, and put miricla whip on the other)

[Mrs.Whisky]

HC i'm right there with you. I still make mine the way my momma taught me lol...butter bread slices on one side stack with 2slices of cheese and maybe add some turkey...thats been my version (or moms should i say) but I will most definitely start to stack them up with some other goodies mentioned here ;)

[suziquzie]

I forgot my favorite filling!!! duh.... old age....

Pepper jack cheese, a slice or 2 of the super thin ham, and 2 tomato slices...
I do believe I have lunch figured out already yummmmmm.......

[homecook]

Add some nice crispy bacon to that too Suzi! lololol

[suziquzie]

OINK OINK I just may NEEED to do that!!! lol

[Chowhound]

Bacon will be going on mine today, but I too love just a thin slice or two of ham.

[Semigourmet]

I usually butter the outside of my bread, and brown it until it is very crispy. Love a good crispy grilled cheese. and mine is made in a nonstick skillet. Once in a blue moon I will put a slice of ham in it. Or make it with swiss, and put a tad of dijon mustard inside, and use smoked turkey with it. Nummy!