Best-Dressed Grilled Cheese
A versatile sandwich, grilled cheese can dress up in just about anything, presenting you with limitless, delicious options for your lunch. One of our favorite styles combines tomatoes, bacon, Comté cheese, and a mayo spread.
Ingredients
- Fresh sourdough bread, sliced
- Or try Avenue Bread’s rosemary deli loaf
- 3 ounces Comté or Gruyere cheese
- 3 ounces smoked Gouda
- Half of a tomato
- 3 strips Sunday bacon
- Upton’s Naturals bacon seitan is a great vegan substitute
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- Or butter, depending on the grilling method
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400° F
- Cook bacon in oven for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on desired crispiness
- Loosely grate both cheeses
- Slice tomato into thin rounds
- When bacon is cooked, remove from oven and slice strips into thirds
- Heat a skillet or griddle on medium
Mayo Method
Arguably the best way to cook grilled cheese is with mayonnaise, which brings a unique richness and crispness to the sandwich.
- Spread half the mayonnaise on one side of a slice of bread and place it mayonnaise-side down on your hot cooking surface.
- Top your bread with half the cheese, then add tomato slices and bacon. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Spread the remaining mayonnaise onto your second slice of bread, and place it mayonnaise-side up on your sandwich.
- Grill each side for 2 1/2 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and your bread is golden brown.
- Cut in half and enjoy!
Butter Method
If you would rather use butter than mayonnaise, first brown a pad of butter on your skillet or griddle. Once your butter is bubbling and browning, follow the rest of the steps above but swap butter for mayonnaise when applicable.
