Yields Makes 1 sandwich
Time: about 15 minutes. This is more a method than a recipe, but you can make a fantastic sandwich with just great bread, fresh butter, and your favorite cheese. To make 2 sandwiches at once, just use a larger frying pan. If you want a thin, ultra-crisp sandwich, use a panini press set to medium (350°), or heat a cast-iron skillet on a separate burner. Set the skillet on top of your sandwich as it cooks in the frying pan, and cook about 4 minutes total.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Butter bread slices on 1 side. Turn them over.

Step 2
2

Lay cheese slices on 1 bread slice. Top with the other bread slice, buttered side up. (The buttered sides face out so that they'll turn crisp and golden when they touch the hot pan.)

Step 3
3

Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat. Flick a drop of water into the pan; if it sizzles and evaporates, the pan is hot enough.

Step 4
4

Put sandwich, buttered side down, in pan with both hands. Let it cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden and crunchy underneath. Using a spatula (or one in each hand, if the bread is large), turn the sandwich over. Let it cook another 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden and crunchy on the second side.

Step 5
5

*Choose a cheese that melts well. Some classics for grilled cheese: cheddar, jack and pepper jack, Colby, gruyère, Swiss, fontina, provolone. Brie works well too.

Ingredients

 2 tablespoons butter, softened
 2 slices of your favorite bread
 2 slices of your favorite cheese*

Directions

Step 1
1

Butter bread slices on 1 side. Turn them over.

Step 2
2

Lay cheese slices on 1 bread slice. Top with the other bread slice, buttered side up. (The buttered sides face out so that they'll turn crisp and golden when they touch the hot pan.)

Step 3
3

Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat. Flick a drop of water into the pan; if it sizzles and evaporates, the pan is hot enough.

Step 4
4

Put sandwich, buttered side down, in pan with both hands. Let it cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden and crunchy underneath. Using a spatula (or one in each hand, if the bread is large), turn the sandwich over. Let it cook another 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden and crunchy on the second side.

Step 5
5

*Choose a cheese that melts well. Some classics for grilled cheese: cheddar, jack and pepper jack, Colby, gruyère, Swiss, fontina, provolone. Brie works well too.

Basic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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