Are you tired of the same old grilled cheese sandwich? Looking to take your grilled cheese game to the next level? Well, look no further! We have the perfect solution for you: grilled cheese with unique breads like sourdough, Focaccia, and Ciabatta bread. These artisanal breads not only add a delicious twist to your classic grilled cheese but also elevate the entire experience. Get ready to elevate your taste buds with the perfect combination of crispy, buttery bread and gooey, melted cheese. Trust us, once you try this, there’s no going back to plain old white bread!
Grilled Cheese with Sourdough Bread
What is Sourdough Bread?
Imagine biting into a slice of sourdough bread and being greeted by that irresistible tangy flavour. Sourdough bread is like the rockstar of the bread world, known for its unique taste and texture. What makes it stand out is the fermentation process, where wild yeast and friendly bacteria get together to work their magic on the dough. This fermentation gives sourdough its signature sour taste and that delightful chewy crust. It’s like a party in your mouth with every bite!
Ingredients:
4 slices of sourdough bread
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Instructions:
- Begin by preheating a skillet or griddle over medium heat. This step ensures that your cooking surface is hot and ready to achieve that perfect golden-brown crust on your grilled cheese sandwiches.
- While the skillet is heating up, take the sourdough bread slices and spread a generous layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. This buttery layer will help to create that crispy, flavorful exterior that we all love in grilled cheese.
- Once the bread is buttered, place two slices of sourdough bread, butter side down, onto the preheated skillet. This is where the magic starts to happen!
- Next, evenly distribute the shredded sharp cheddar cheese onto the slices of bread that are now sizzling on the skillet. This ensures that every bite of your grilled cheese will be packed with cheesy goodness.
- Carefully place the remaining two slices of sourdough bread on top of the cheese, making sure the buttered side is facing upward. This completes your sandwich assembly and prepares it for grilling.
- Allow the sandwiches to cook for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread turns a delicious golden brown and the cheese inside is perfectly melted. This may require a bit of patience, but trust us, it’s worth the wait!
- Once both sides are beautifully golden and the cheese is gooey and melted, remove the grilled cheese sandwiches from the skillet and transfer them to a cutting board. Let them cool for just a moment before slicing them in half diagonally.
- Serve your sourdough grilled cheese sandwiches immediately, and enjoy the irresistible combination of crispy bread and melted cheese that’s sure to satisfy your cravings!
2. Grilled Cheese with Focaccia Bread
What is Focaccia Bread?
Just saying the word makes you feel a little fancier, doesn’t it? Picture a fluffy, pillowy flatbread, sprinkled with olive oil, sea salt, and maybe a handful of fragrant herbs. Focaccia is like the Italian cousin of pizza dough, but instead of getting all dressed up with toppings, it’s all about those dimples on the surface. Whether you’re enjoying it as a snack or using it as a sandwich base, focaccia always brings a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to your day.
Ingredients:
4 slices of focaccia bread
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons basil pesto (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by preheating your skillet or griddle over medium heat. This ensures that your focaccia grilled cheese sandwiches will cook evenly and develop that perfect crispy exterior.
- While the skillet is heating up, take the slices of focaccia bread and spread a layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. This buttery coating will add flavour and help achieve that golden-brown crust.
- If using basil pesto, spread it onto the non-buttered side of two slices of focaccia bread. This adds a burst of flavour that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients in the sandwich.
- Place the slices of bread, butter side down, onto the preheated skillet. This allows the butter to sizzle and infuse the bread with flavour as it begins to toast.
- Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped sun-dried tomatoes onto the slices of bread that are now sizzling on the skillet. This ensures that every bite of your grilled cheese will be bursting with cheese and savoury goodness.
- Carefully place the remaining slices of focaccia bread on top of the cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, making sure the buttered side is facing upward. This completes the sandwich assembly and prepares it for grilling.
- Allow the sandwiches to cook for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and gooey. This may require occasional pressing down with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
- Once both sides are beautifully golden and the cheese is melted to perfection, remove the grilled cheese sandwiches from the skillet and transfer them to a cutting board. Let them cool for a moment before slicing them in half diagonally.
- Serve your focaccia grilled cheese sandwiches immediately, and relish in the delightful combination of flavours and textures that make this recipe truly special!
3. Grilled Cheese with Ciabatta Bread
What is Ciabatta Bread?
Ciabatta, the bread that’s as fun to say as it is to eat! Imagine tearing into a loaf of ciabatta and discovering its rustic charm – that chewy interior with those big, irregular air bubbles, and that crispy, golden crust. It’s like a work of art, crafted from just a handful of simple ingredients: flour, water, yeast, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil for good measure. Ciabatta is the perfect canvas for all your sandwich dreams, whether you’re piling it high with meats and cheeses or keeping it simple with just a smear of pesto and some ripe tomatoes.
Ingredients:
4 slices of ciabatta bread
1 1/2 cups shredded fontina cheese
1/4 cup caramelised onions
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions:
- Set your griddle or skillet on medium heat to get started.
- Spread a layer of softened butter on one side of each slice of ciabatta bread while the skillet is heating up. This flavour-enhancing buttery coating also contributes to the exterior’s irresistibly crunchy texture.
- After buttered, top two slices of ciabatta bread with equal amounts of caramelised onions and grated fontina cheese.
- Pour balsamic glaze, if using, over the non-buttered side of the two ciabatta bread slices that remain. This balances the savoury flavours of the cheese and caramelised onions by adding a hint of sweetness.
- Place the slices of bread, butter side down, onto the preheated skillet. This allows the butter to sizzle and infuse the bread with flavour as it begins to toast.
- Carefully place the remaining slices of ciabatta bread on top of the cheese and caramelised onions, making sure the buttered side is facing upward. This completes the sandwich assembly and prepares it for grilling.
- Grill the sandwiches for about 3–4 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and oozy and the bread is golden brown. To guarantee even cooking, you might need to sometimes press down with a spatula on this.
- The grilled cheese sandwiches should be taken out of the skillet and placed on a cutting board once they are perfectly brown on both sides and the cheese has melted. After allowing them to cool slightly, cut them in half on the diagonal.
- Now that you have your ciabatta grilled cheese sandwiches on the go, enjoy the wonderful harmony of tastes and textures that makes this dish so incredibly delicious!
Final Note:
These three recipes offer a delightful twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, each showcasing the unique flavours and textures of sourdough, focaccia, and ciabatta bread. Whether you’re craving something classic, Mediterranean-inspired, or indulgently savoury, there’s a grilled cheese recipe here to satisfy every craving.
