Cooks Illustrated Grown Up Grilled Cheese Recipes

GROWN-UP FARMHOUSE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Set a rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Lay the pancetta slices on the rack on the baking sheet and bake until crisp, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, set your toaster to a low setting and toast the brioche slices, (they should be slightly dry but not brown).
• Lay 4 slices lightly toasted brioche on a work surface and cover the slices with half the cheese, followed by a slice of tomato. Season each sandwich with a pinch of salt and a healthy grind of black pepper. Top each with 2 pancetta rounds and the remaining cheese. Lay the remaining brioche slices on top and press down lightly. Butter the top of each sandwich with 1/2 tablespoon butter.
• Heat a large griddle pan over medium heat.
• Melt the remaining tablespoon butter on the griddle pan and add the sandwiches, buttered side up. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is beginning to melt. Flip the sandwiches, press lightly, and continue cooking until golden and toasty. Transfer to a cutting board and slice the sandwiches with a serrated knife, on the diagonal. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

GROWN-UP GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Place bread on work surface and spread the outsides of both slices with either butter or mayonnaise, making sure to cover the surfaces. Spread the interiors with either butter, mustard, or fruit preserves. Top one slice of bread with 2 slices of cheese and a combination of your favorite fillings. Sandwich together with second slice of bread.
• Preheat a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the assembled sandwich. Once the cheese starts to melt and the bread on the bottom is golden brown, flip the sandwich; avoid pressing with the spatula to flatten. Grill until cheese has fully melted and the other side is golden brown.

COOK'S ILLUSTRATED GROWN-UP GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Process cheddar, Brie, and wine in food processor until smooth paste is formed, 20 to 30 seconds. Add shallot and pulse to combine, 3 to 5 pulses. Combine butter and mustard in small bowl. 2. Working on parchment paper–lined counter, spread mustard butter evenly over 1 side of slices of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and spread cheese mixture evenly over slices. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread, buttered sides up. 3. Preheat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. (Droplets of water should just sizzle when flicked onto pan.) Place 2 sandwiches in skillet; reduce heat to medium-low; and cook until both sides are crispy and golden brown, 6 to 9 minutes per side, moving sandwiches to ensure even browning. Remove sandwiches from skillet and let stand for 2 minutes before serving. Repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches.

GROWN UP GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Layer the cheese and tomato over 2 slices of bread.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and top each with a few basil leaves.
• Cover with the remaining slices of bread to make sandwiches.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sandwiches and cook, pressing down on them with a spatula until the bottoms are golden brown.
• Flip the sandwich and add the remaining 2 tbsp oil.
• Continue cooking, occasionally pressing down on sandwiches with spatula until the other side is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
• Remove from pan and enjoy.