April is national grilled cheese month so if you If you haven't got your grilled cheese on lately, stop slacking. The time to melt cheese between bread is now. Here's a recipe for the best grilled cheese from Laura Werlin, grilled cheese expert and author of The Great Grilled Cheese.
The Best Grilled Cheese
ingredients
8 slices sourdough bread (1/4 inch thick)
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
6 ounces best-quality Cheddar cheese (orange or white), coarsely grated
To assemble: Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices on your work surface, buttered side down. Distribute the cheese evenly over the 4 slices. Place the remaining 4 bread slices on top, buttered side up.
Stovetop method: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Put the sandwiches in the skillet (in batches if necessary), cover, and cook for 2 minutes, or until the undersides are golden brown and the cheese has begun to melt. Uncover, and turn the sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to flatten them slightly. Cook for 1 minute, or until the undersides are golden brown. Turn the sandwiches again, press with the spatula, and cook for 30 seconds, or until the cheese has melted completely. Serve immediately.
Sandwich maker method: Preheat the sandwich maker. Follow directions for sandwich assembly, and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Gas grill method: Brush the grill rack with oil and preheat the grill to medium-high. Follow directions for sandwich assembly. Put the sandwiches on the grill and follow directions for the stovetop method.
Makes 4 sandwiches.
If you need to get your grilled cheese fix in NYC here's a couple of worthy candidates:
Artisanal: It makes sense. Take a reasonable facsimile of a French bistro that focuses on cheese, and chances are good that said restaurant will come up with a killer grilled cheese sandwich. Chef Terrence Brennan's grilled cheese sandwich is made with English cheddar, Nueske's bacon, and Granny Smith apple slices. It comes with fabulous fries, and as part of my portion control regimen, it's most assuredly big enough to share. 2 Park Avenue, New York NY 10016; 212-725-8585
Bouchon Bakery: This grilled cheese sandwich is so good Details magazine tagged it as one of the 22 sandwiches that will change your life. It's made on great bread, with Gruyère and fontina cheeses, and it's so golden brown it's almost (but not quite) too beautiful to eat. It comes with tomato soup, which, though not nearly as delicious, provides an excellent dipping liquid for the sandwich (if you happen to be a dipper). Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10019; 212-823-9366; other locations in Las Vegas and Yountville, California
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