Elevating A Basic Staple: The Grilled Cheese

Now listen, I know better than anyone that even just bread and cheese can feel like a lot more than just these two ingredients sometimes. There are days when I want nothing more than to curl up in my bed with a nice, crispy, warm grilled cheese. However, as we mature, so do our palettes and sometimes this comfort meal can become a little too monotonous. April is the national month of grilled cheeses. To celebrate, I have included two of my favorite ways to spruce up what is seemingly just bread and cheese.

Pesto and Tomato Grilled Cheese

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:30 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 4 slices your favorite bread
• 4 slices a preferred cheese
• 2 tablespoons pesto sauce
• 1 ripe tomato thinly sliced
• Butter or olive oil for grilling

• Step 1

  Prepare the ingredients:
  1. Thinly slice a tomato
  2. Spread pesto on the inside of all four slices of bread

  

• Step 2

  Assemble the sandwich:
  1. Place a slice of cheese on each slice of bread
  2. Arrange the tomato slices on top of the cheese

  

• Step 3

  Grill the sandwich:
  1. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and place butter on the skillet
  2. Spread a thin layer of butter/olive oil on the outer sides of the sandwiches
  3. Place the sandwiches on the skillet or griddle and cook until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted, which is about 2-3 minutes per side

  

Crispy Chicken Grilled Cheese

• Prep Time:30 mins
• Cook Time:20 mins
• Total Time:50 mins
• Servings:1
• Medium

Ingredients

• For the Crispy Chicken:
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Oil
• For the Grilled Cheese:
• 4 slices your favorite bread
• 4 slices cheese
• Butter/Olive Oil

• Step 1

  Prepare the chicken:
  1. Preheat your oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350°F
  2. In three different bowls, place the flour seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs
  3. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper
  4. Dip each chicken breast in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and lastly coat it evenly with breadcrumbs
  5. Fry the breaded chicken breasts in the preheated oil until golden brown and cooked through which is about 5-6 minutes per side
  6. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and let them cool

  

• Step 2

  Assemble the grilled cheese:
  1. Take two slices of bread and place a slice of cheese on each
  2. Slice the crispy chicken breasts into thin slices and place them on top of the cheese
  3. Add any optional additions such as tomatoes, bacon, lettuce, pickles, or onions
  4. Place another slice of cheese on each sandwich and close them with the last two slices of bread

  

• Step 3

  Grill the sandwich:
  1. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat
  2. Spread a thin layer of butter on the outer sides of each sandwich
  3. Place the sandwiches on the skillet or griddle and cook until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes per side

  

There are a ton of other ways to spice up everyone's favorite comfort meal. These are my top two, and I think each one is quite simple and easy if I do say so myself. Therefore, the next time you find yourself craving a grilled cheese, don't settle for the ordinary. Indulge in the opportunity to find even more comfort from this popular comfort meal.