THE PERFECT GRILLED CHEESE

The Perfect Grilled Cheese image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 10m

Yield 1 serving

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 ounces sliced melting cheese (about 2 slices), such as American, Cheddar, muenster, Havarti, Swiss, fontina, Mozzarella, Monterey jack, pepper jack, provolone
2 slices bread, such as white, rye, brioche, sourdough, potato, whole wheat, pumpernickel
1 tablespoon fat, such as mayonnaise, butter or olive, chili or coconut oil

Steps:

Oven method (great for a crowd of six or fewer): Put a rimmed baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Make one sandwich per person: Sandwich 2 slices of cheese between 2 slices of bread. Spread or brush the outside of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of fat. Place on the preheated baking sheet and cook until the cheese starts to melt, about 5 minutes. Flip the sandwich and bake until golden brown, an additional 5 minutes.
Panini press method (for crispy crunchy sandwich that needs minimal attention): Sandwich 2 slices of cheese between 2 slices of bread. Preheat a panini press to medium heat. Spread or brush the outside of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of fat and place in the press. Close the top and cook until lightly browned and the cheese is melted, 5 to 6 minutes.
Skillet method (fool-proof and low-tech): Sandwich 2 slices of cheese between 2 slices of bread. Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. Spread or brush the outside of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of fat and cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwich, and continue cooking until browned and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes more.
Great combos:
1. Pepper jack and sourdough, brushed with chili oil
2. American and white bread, brushed with butter
3. Swiss and rye, brushed with mayo
4. Cheddar and brioche, brushed with butter