The snow is piling up and temperatures are quickly dropping way below the comfort range. Collegiettes, you know what that means…you should stay inside and bundle up with a delicious warm meal! Now, what’s a better comfort food than grilled cheese? Though always satisfying, it doesn’t always have to be just bread and cheese. Try mixing it up with these mouth watering additions.
1. The Caprese Grilled Cheese
- 2 slices of Italian Bread
- Butter
- 2 thick slices of Mozzarella Cheese (I always opt for part skim)
- 2 grape tomatoes (thinly sliced)
- 2 basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinaigrette
First, preheat the panini press or skillet and butter both sides of both slices of bread, which makes for perfectly crispy toast. Then begin layering the ingredients on the bread with mozzarella, a slice of tomato, basil, another slice of tomato, then a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic, and finishing it off with one more slice of mozzarella. After covering the layers with the other piece of bread, place the sandwich on the panini press or in the skillet until lightly browned with melting cheese. Note: if you are using a skillet, be sure to flip the sandwich half way through.
2. Chicken Bacon Ranch Grilled Cheese
- 2 slices of bread (I think sourdough goes best)
- Butter
- 3 slices of bacon each cut in half
- Ranch dressing
- Thinly sliced chicken (possible to opt for turkey)
- 2 slices of thinly sliced extra sharp cheddar cheese
Begin by cooking the bacon in either a skillet or in the microwave, and then preheat the panini press or skillet. Then, butter both sides of both slices of the bread. Layer on top of the bread a slice of cheese, then bacon, chicken, a drizzle of ranch dressing, and then finish with another slice of cheese and cover with the other piece of bread. Place the sandwich on the panini press or skillet and wait until lightly browned and melty cheese.
3. Bacon, Egg, and Maple Grilled Cheese (from FoodNetwork.com)
- 8 slices of bread
- 6 slices of thick-sliced bacon
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- Butter
- 4 eggs
- 9 slices of cheddar cheese
First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lay the bacon on a baking sheet and cook for about 10 minutes. Once fully cooked, baste the bacon with maple syrup on both sides and place the bacon back in the oven for another 10 minutes until the edges are caramelized. While the bacon is cooking, crack the eggs in a skillet and fry for about 4 minutes. Next, spread the butter on both sides of the bread and begin to layer with 1 slice of cheese, 3 pieces of bacon, 1 egg, and then another slice of cheese and cover the sandwich with the other slice of bread. Finally, place the sandwich on a skillet over medium heat and cover with a lid for about 2 minutes on each side.
And don’t forget that when there’s grilled cheese, there must always be tomato soup. Keep warm, collegiettes!