To Brie or Not To Brie

National Grilled Cheese Day is April 12^th.

Did you know grilled cheese is one of the top comfort foods on the planet? On the planet! 

There are very few foods that people all over the world agree on, but it seems that the grilled cheese sandwich is one that translates into just about any culture. People have been enjoying cooked bread and cheese since ancient times. 

The term “grilled cheese” was found in American recipes during the 1920’s. The best thing about grilled cheese is that they can be made with different kinds of breads, cheeses, and toppings. Every culture around the world has their favorite version, from a croque madame to a quesadilla. I discussed the topic of grilled cheese with my colleagues and it was amazing how many different favorite ways we came up with to make this seemingly simple sandwich.

What is your favorite grilled cheese? My favorite is a caprese grilled cheese made with sourdough bread, Mozzarella cheese, pesto and sliced tomato. If you’re interested in trying to make sourdough bread, a couple of years ago I wrote a blog post on sourdough bread with recipes, check it out here. https://mercercountylibrary.blogspot.com/2020/12/all-sorrows-are-less-with-bread-miguel.html

Take a look through these cookbooks and let us know your favorite recipes in the comments! 

The Great Grilled Cheese Book: Grown-up Recipes for a Childhood Classic by Eric Greenspan

A fresh take on the beloved American classic, which features both common and elevated ingredients like brie cheese, poppy seed bread, olive tapenade, fig marmalade, smoked salmon, candied bacon, bourbon-glazed ham, and raisin walnut bread. These are recipes that invite you into new and uncharted grilled cheese territory.

Grilled Cheese, Please! 50 Scrumptiously Cheesy Recipes by Laura Werlin

This cookbook has chapters for various categories which are just cheese, meat and cheese, anything goes, veggies and cheese, global grilled cheese, regional American, and grilled cheese on the go variations of the traditional grilled cheese sandwich. Try one today!

Grilled Cheese Kitchen: Bread + Cheese + Everything in Between by Heidi Gibson with Nate Pollak

This cookbook features 39 grilled cheese recipes, created by husband and wife team Heidi Gibson and Nate Pollak of the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen in San Francisco. One recipe that stood out was the classic Mousetrap that was made with three different kinds of cheese. Grilled cheese also makes a great breakfast - all you need to do is just add an egg.

Grilled Cheese Recipes: Mouthwatering Grilled Cheese Recipes by Abbie White 

There are so many different ways to make a grilled cheese! Love white bread or whole wheat? Want to use ham or bacon? Here are 30 recipes for the gooey melted cheese sandwich. Now get creative!

Grilled Cheese by Marlena Spieler

Toasted golden in a pan or browned to melty perfection under the broiler, grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food. This cookbook is oozing with cheese suggestions, an array of different mustards, and tips on choosing the perfect bread.

Great Book of Grilled Cheese: 100+ Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food, Soups, Salads, and Sides by Kim Wilcox

A popular cookbook filled with over 100 recipes for grilled cheese, soups, salads, sides, and even desserts. Using easy ingredients and even leftovers, discover endless and out-of-the-box possibilities for delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, plus the perfect side pairings.

- by Jodi, Hopewell Branch