April is National Grilled Cheese month! Grilled cheese sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food. The gooey cheesiness warms you up instantly, no matter where you are. And they’re so easy to make! Whether you use a George Foreman grill or a skillet over the stove, making the perfect sandwich takes no time at all so you can quickly get to the cheesy deliciousness.
There’s nothing wrong with the classic grilled cheese, but sometimes the repetition causes my palate to crave some diversity. After consulting with Pinterest, I’ve come across some new grilled cheese combinations to update my repertoire that have satisfied both my grilled cheese craving and my desire for new tastes:
- BLT: This grilled cheese takes on a popular sandwich combination with a large favorite, bacon. The lettuce (surprisingly it doesn’t wilt during cooking) and bacon offer a nice crunch to each bite. My preference is to use turkey bacon; it’s leaner than regular bacon but tastes, and smells, just as great.
- Avocado and Tomato: If you like guacamole as much as me, you’ll love adding avocados to your grilled cheese. Avocados are healthy, proven to regulate blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Definitely consider adding this delicious super-fruit to your next grilled cheese.
- Margherita Pizza: This sandwich combines two of my favorite comfort foods into one. Pizza is just as good of a comfort food, so why not put it on a grilled cheese sandwich? If you don’t have basil or don’t want to buy any, try using Tomato Basil pasta sauce.
- Jalapeño Popper: If you’re seeking a kick of spiciness in your grilled cheese, look no further than the jalapeño popper grilled cheese. This recipe takes a little longer than the others, but it is completely worth it. Before roasting the peppers, be sure to remove the seeds otherwise your mouth will be overwhelmed with spiciness.
- Cranberry, Pear & Brie: Dubbed the grilled cheese for adults by Eat This!, this sandwich combines the sweetness of the pear, the tartness of the cranberries, and the creaminess of the brie. The different tastes and textures complement each other in the creation of this masterpiece.
Personally, I take these recipes pretty loosely; I use whatever bread and cheese is available to me at the time and they are just as delicious as the original. There are so many varieties of recipes, so it’s really open to your own interpretation and preferences. Get creative with your grilled cheese sandwiches, Collegiettes, and forever change your grilled cheese experience!
Image Sources:
Grilled Cheese gif: http://media.giphy.com/media/xLmG2yIKkKanS/giphy.gif
BLT: http://www.foodiecrush.com/2012/08/blt-grilled-cheese-recipe/
Avocado and Tomato: http://www.college-cooking.com/2013/06/15/avocado-and-tomato-mozzarella-grilled-cheese/
Margherita: http://bsinthekitchen.com/the-margherita-pizza-grilled-cheese/
Jalapeño Popper: http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/04/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html
Cranberry, Pear & Brie: http://www.kitchentreaty.com/cranberry-pear-brie-grilled-cheese/#_a5y_p=1170274
Article Sources:
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=grilled%20cheese
BLT: http://www.foodiecrush.com/2012/08/blt-grilled-cheese-recipe/
Avocado and Tomato: http://www.fifteenspatulas.com/grilled-cheese-with-avocado-and-heirloom-tomato/
Margherita: http://bsinthekitchen.com/the-margherita-pizza-grilled-cheese/
Jalapeño Popper: http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/04/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html
Cranberry, Pear & Brie: http://www.kitchentreaty.com/cranberry-pear-brie-grilled-cheese/#_a5y_p=1170274
Eat This!: http://eatthis.womenshealthmag.com/home