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Ode to The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

5/9/2015

44 Comments

 
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I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t have a favorite comfort food. 

For my husband, who grew up in a red-shuttered farmhouse in Ohio, it’s his mother’s meat loaf, made with uncooked oatmeal instead of bread crumbs.  (Given that her simple recipe is identical to the one that even now might be found on those still-round boxes of Quaker Oats, this entrée was no doubt a favorite for millions of other Baby Boomer kids, too.)  As for my teenage daughter, she has been a French fry girl for as long as I can remember, eaten with no adornment except salt. Whether ordered at a fast food place or upmarket restaurant, for her, a potato is a potato. 

Then there’s me.  I’m pretty easy, too.

All you have to do is make me a good grilled cheese sandwich and within moments after handing it over, you will see a very happy girl clown.

By good, I mean it shouldn’t be fancy.

Don’t bother with imported cheese (say, Gruyere) or even fancier meat (say, prosciutto) or some overly-priced European style bread. And definitely, please don’t look up whatever Martha Stewart’s version of this all-American classic might be.     

Nope, slather lots of butter on the outside of two slices of fluffy white bread; set it gently in a heated skillet over a medium flame, and make sure there’s plenty of Velveeta between those slices.  (Yes, it must be Velveeta, not a generic knock off, and please, do not use those absurdly thin, waxy slices encased in plastic.)  Don’t leave the room, because you’ll need to flip the skillet side over the moment it turns butterscotch brown.   Do the same for the other side, then serve immediately.  You’ll make my experience even more memorable by adding bread and butter pickles on the side.

Not that there’s anything wrong with the fancy-schmancy version.

In the 2014 film Chef, a food porn movie if ever there was one, the grilled cheese sandwich is piled so high with so much expensive-looking cheese that a good portion of it oozes over the bread’s sides.   And speaking of the bread, it’s actually massaged by hand before the cheese is put on, on a super-hot grill with extra butter, to presumably make it extra yummy. 

Even in my modest kitchen, I once hosted a dinner party—cast iron skillet hot, apron tied and spatula  in hand—making thick sandwiches to order that boasted three kinds of cheeses; two varieties of bread baked that very morning, and an array of sliced meats. Fruits and from-scratch tomato soup were also in the mix.  The food was divine, my guests raved, but then again, this wasn’t meant to be a meal to remind one of childhood and comfort, which my Velveeta sandwich always does.

You see, I was a sickly kid and, especially during the winter, caught a lot of colds.  Feeling terrible and being made to stay home wasn’t fun, but I did look forward to this: my mom’s grilled cheese sandwich lunch made with her homemade white bread.

My stay-at-home mother, also from Ohio, called them toasted cheese sandwiches, and would serve mine with—you guessed it—crisp bread and butter pickles.  Topping it off was an icy glass of chocolate milk, made with the sinfully whole stuff that was actually delivered to our doorstep.   

I’m not the only one who thinks that putting buttery toasted bread and gooey melted cheese together ranks number one in the comfort food circus. 

In fact, across the United States, there are food trucks aplenty that serve only grilled cheese.  Probably best known is The Grilled Cheese Truck in Los Angeles, which has more than 54,000 Likes on Facebook.  Head north to Portland (the place for food truck aficionados) and you’ll find The Grilled Cheese Grill, whose motto is “Come by for a taste of Your Childhood.”   And let’s not forget C’est Cheese in Cincinnati, which is not only a super cute play on words, but features the Oscar Mayer Robertson sandwich, made with fried bologna and American cheese. 

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention The Grilled Cheese Incident, my own little town’s truck.  Easily spotted around our streets thanks to its neon orange exterior, the Incident’s specialty is the Quintessential California, made with Havarti and jack cheeses, tomato and smoked applewood bacon.  (Read about other cheese trucks here, at http://culturecheesemag.com/blog/10-best-grilled-cheese-trucks.)  

Want to hear more?   

Well, just last month (not coincidentally, April is National Grilled Cheese Month), news came out that you might be happier between the sheets if you’re a regular consumer of this sandwich.

It’s true. 

At least that’s what Skout, a social/networking dating site, concluded after it asked members if loving grilled cheese might also say something about their sex lives.  Amazingly, close to 5,000 people responded, with the results being that 73 percent of grilled cheese devotees have sex at least once a month, compared with 63 percent who don’t love grilled cheese.   In addition, 32 percent of grilled cheese fans have sex at least six times a month, compared to 27 percent of non-grilled cheese lovers.  The poll also says that 81 percent of those who eat grilled cheese sandwiches donated time, money or food to those in need.  (Find out more at http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-survey-grilled-cheese-sex-20150408-story.html)  

To me, these conclusions are just common sense, and here’s why:

First, I adore the taste, texture and perhaps most of all, the comfort food memories of a perfect grilled cheese sandwich. 

Second, because of all of the above elements, I become instantly happy and content while eating (okay, more like inhaling) this perfect treat.  

Third, in this heightened state of bliss, of course I’m going to feel like doing some serious canoodling with my honey, and of course I’m going to want to share the love by wanting to reach out, and help, with causes near and dear to me.

It really is that simple, and that powerful.  

Exactly like the grilled cheese sandwich.  

What’s your favorite comfort food, and what’s the story behind your choice?  I look forward to hearing from you!   

 

44 Comments
Susan Jordan
5/9/2015 11:27:05 am

I love a good grilled cheese sandwich too, and always have! Only in the last couple of years or so have I enjoyed them with tomato slices inside. And they're not bad at all with rye bread, I've found. When I was a little girl and home from school with a cold or flu, my mom usually made me a tuna sandwich on wheat (light on the mayo, Mom - pleeeeease!), with a 7-up and some Fritos. If I were congested too, she'd warm an old tea towel or cloth diaper (really!) over the stove, then safety-pin it around my neck after I'd gotten a chest full of Vicks Vapo-Rub slathered all over it. It got tucked into my pajama top or old t-shirt, then it was time for the sandwich, Fritos and 7-up (along with lots of comic books!). Cheese sandwiches are not far behind in this category at all, and since it's been over 25 years since I last ate meat (that includes fish), a cheese sandwich now ranks #1 as a comfort meal. There's nothing like it, and a cup of tomato soup rounds it out nicely. Now you've made me hungry, Hilary!

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Hilary
5/9/2015 11:40:48 am

That tuna sandwich sounds pretty awesome as well! I do mine with some lemon juice (takes away the fishy smell), chopped celery, a pinch of chopped red onion and a nice portion of Best Foods mayo. The 7-Up sounds like a perfect pairing as well. So now, Susan, you're making ME hungry, too! :)

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Ron Jarvis
5/9/2015 12:46:55 pm

I too grew up on toasted cheese sandwiches (Wellsville, Ohio 1951).
I was introduced to my father's comfort food anytime I was left in his care. He grew up in the depression and I learned to LOVE some of his depression era meals:
1. Onion sandwiches... I know it sounds bad, but a slice of red onion between 2 slices of bread tastes almost sweet.
2. Toast and milk... 2 slices of toast, heavily buttered then broken up in a bowl, covered with whole milk are sublime (and filling).
3. Radish sandwiches... bread, butter, salt, and thinly sliced radishes make a sinus clearing treat in your mouth.
Mmmmm... cause it's so good.

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Hilary
5/9/2015 01:51:01 pm

Well, these all sound REALLY GOOD to me, probably because I'm not eating bread these days. I know someone whose mom used to make him mustard sandwiches... he's also from the Midwest. : )

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Five Cities Foodie link
5/9/2015 12:54:35 pm

I just can't get passed you thinking so highly of Velveeta for a grilled cheese when Velveeta itself is not cheese, doesn't taste like cheese, and doesn't have the special texture or aroma of real cheese. The rest of your article is pretty good.

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Hilary
5/9/2015 01:42:31 pm

You're absolutely on target--Velveeta is not real cheese! I still remember my aunt, decades ago, rallying against the fact that I called it cheese and really liked it. Maybe if my mother had made those sandwiches with cheddar instead, I'd have a different take! Thanks so much for commenting. :)

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Fran Phinney
5/9/2015 01:03:21 pm

Grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup are a favorite at our house. I make them with white bread and any cheddar cheese or cheddar flavour in a jar, like Cheese Whiz. Once its grilled I must add some salt and a big glob of strawberry jam to dip the sandwich in. It has to be strawberry, no other jam will do.

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Hilary
5/9/2015 01:49:48 pm

I'm not pregnant, but boy, this sounds REALLY GOOD. I like the idea that with the jam, you're getting both sweet AND savory. How did you come up with this?

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Larry Grant
5/9/2015 01:12:43 pm

My favorite sandwich now is a combination of the two mentioned here. I love a tuna melt...white bread, albacore and a sharp cheddar. MmMm!

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Hilary
5/9/2015 02:00:31 pm

Cheese and fish together still sound weird to me.... EXCEPT for this standard. It works!

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Tammy Dalcin
5/9/2015 01:19:13 pm

I love comfort food. I grew up with lots of gravy. Mom would cook her yummy pot roast and mashed potatoes and serve it with brown gravy. Strangely though I loved mom's creamed tuna on toast. Which she made, I think only when she was either low on food, or ran out of ideas of what to cook.what ever the case. It's still one of my all time comfort foods.

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Hilary
5/9/2015 01:56:12 pm

I still love brown gravy! So... okay... creamed tuna... what else did she put in that? Just mayo and salt and pepper? Did she then put a creamed gravy over it? This sounds like just the thing for dinner on a cold winter's night. :)

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T McKnignt
5/11/2015 06:41:02 am

I still make creamed tuna. The old Better Homes cookbook recipe is the one I still use. Just put it over some toast and you've got a winner!

Hilary
5/11/2015 12:07:05 pm

I have that cookbook! I'll need to look it up. I think it would be good if you added some grilled red pepper slices, and some fresh parsley on top. :)

Heather Risinger link
5/9/2015 01:31:34 pm

What on Earth is better than Grilled Cheese? It was tough to make the switch to a version that was gluten-free but I managed!

I have never tried one with Velveeta...and after reading this, you bet your bottom dollar I'm going to!!! YUM.

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Hilary
5/9/2015 01:58:37 pm

As someone commented above, Velveeta is not real cheese, but that little fact doesn't matter to me... I still love it in a sandwich, and it melts so easily. Casey would make his with Wonder Bread and called them "grilled candy." :)

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Tammy Dalcin
5/9/2015 02:47:50 pm

Mom made a white sauce with flour butter and milk and added the tuna. She toasted the bread then poured the tuna sauce on the toast... Yuuuum!

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Hilary
5/9/2015 03:44:10 pm

Sort of like chipped beef on toast or chicken a la king, which is easy and filling and really good. I'll have to ask Larry if he has ever had this... it sounds VERY Midwest!

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Jackie C
5/9/2015 08:27:12 pm

Love, love, love grilled cheese and tomato soup. Great after shoveling snow for a few hours. It also reminds me of when my older brother rented a beach house (off-season) on the CT shoreline. On a beautiful autumn day, he made Glenn, my baby daughter and I the above said meal. Talk about a perfect weekend!

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Hilary
5/10/2015 02:45:04 am

YES, you've proven my point: comfort food is often related to wonderful memories (of course, it MUST taste good, too!). Again, not that I liked being sick, but I liked the feeling of having my mom with me, a feeling of being secure... and somehow, I still get that, a little bit, when I make my Velveeta sandwich. :)

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Toto Johnson link
5/9/2015 09:38:59 pm

When I think of "comfort food" I think of spending time with my maternal grandparents...both of which were wonderful cooks. My Nana made the best meatloaf in the history of meatloaf! I watched her make it a hundred times but her recipe was never written down and I just cannot make it the way she did no matter how I try. I think that LOVE was her main ingredient and that is why it was so good. MY Grampy was known for his baked macaroni and cheese...3 kinds of cheese, lots of milk, etc...and if he ever showed up at a family get-together without it he would have been sent home...HA! Such lovely memories of my childhood!

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Hilary
5/10/2015 02:51:34 am

Your meatloaf story reminds me of a wedding present Larry and I received from a friend of his: some spices and her recipe for Midwest meatloaf. However, she was careful to say that this is what she makes from her memory, it's not exact. I make it and it's pretty good, but there's wiggle room to play with it. As for mac 'n cheese, there are some amazing recipes out there using amazing cheeses. But a restaurant in our area called Taste makes the best I've had in a really, really long time! :) Here's the link to the menu... there are TWENTY to choose from... http://www.taste2900.com/#!menu/c24tf

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kerri
5/10/2015 01:45:38 am

Aren't grilled cheese sandwiches the best?! Did anyone mention dipping theirs in ketchup? I really like that. Tomato soup for sure, too. Meatloaf and pot roast and gravy are also tops on my comfort food list. I'm surprised no one has mentioned mac and cheese. Maybe all this talk of cheese reminded me that is one of my all time favorite comfort foods. Not the kind out of the box, although I will eat that when I am feeling particularly self destructive. No, the gourmet-ier the better. I've never cooked one that I recall- just too busy these days to cook, and I imagine buying all that gourmet cheese costs a fortune, but Costco has a really good one, believe it or not. I rarely indulge in such a high cal treat, but boy when I do.... eyes rolling in the back of my head bliss.

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Hilary
5/10/2015 02:54:54 am

Ketchup! Hadn't heard of that, but since this sandwich is often accompanied by tomato soup, that makes sense. Sad to say, my daughter loves the "orange box" almost as much as French fries. Where did I go wrong? :) If you want to experience the BEST mac 'n cheese, try Taste in SLO. TWENTY VARIETIES to choose from! http://www.taste2900.com/#!menu/c24tf

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Ron Jarvis
5/10/2015 03:29:18 am

I can feel my cholesterol going up just reading these post. Plus I am really hungry now... I am going to make an egg and mayonnaise sandwich on toast with feta cheese in the middle. Really yummy.

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Hilary
5/10/2015 04:40:04 am

That sounds yummy-licious! I like feta but when I want that same flavor, prefer goat cheese. Trader Joe's has the best buy on it. :)

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Roy
5/10/2015 06:44:49 am

I love a good grilled cheese but my comfort food was always fresh cornbread. My mother had it so fresh and moist. Then she would have it on the side of a big bowl of beans with diced onions and shredded cheese. It would have me so full and happy I could fall right asleep.

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Hilary
5/10/2015 06:59:18 am

OH, that sounds GOOD. :)

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Hank Nuwer link
5/10/2015 09:04:30 pm

Love a grilled cheese sandwich with chil!

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Hilary
5/11/2015 12:03:38 pm

That would work, because I sure love lots of cheese on my chili and garlic bread, too. Is grilled cheese and chili together more of a Midwest thing, though?

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Rebecca
5/11/2015 11:00:11 am

My dear friend Julia made me a grilled cheese the day I was laid off last fall. She was so sweet. It was the perfect thing to give someone who needed some comfort food. Hers was on whole wheat I think, but I was kind of in a daze, to tell you the truth, but I know I was cared for with that sandwich.

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Hilary
5/11/2015 12:04:52 pm

Oh, I agree with this! How can a grilled cheese sandwich NOT make you feel better, no matter what? :)

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leslie spoon
5/11/2015 02:19:52 pm

Hilary My mom use to make a pot roast with Lipton Onion soup mix and Cream of Mushroom soup. We would have mashed potatoes and creamed corn with that. Her meatloaf was great too. This is making me hungry now.

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Hilary
5/11/2015 02:49:53 pm

Haha... me, too! It ALL sounds yummy... but especially the mashed potatoes and creamed corn... the made-from-scratch kind when corn is in season. :)

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Deci Mackinnon
5/11/2015 10:13:55 pm

Grilled mozzarella between two thick slabs of sourdough. The bread has been slathered with butter on the outside, spread with Dijon on the inside. Crispy brown and served with a big bowl of Minestrone.

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Hilary
5/12/2015 02:24:38 am

THIS sounds pretty terrific. I've used mozzarella in omelets and love string cheese, so I'll have to try this... but of course, with really good sourdough and a homemade minestrone with fresh herbs. Otherwise, what's the point? :)

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Jerry Lazar
5/13/2015 02:50:02 am

You can't go wrong with grilled cheese, that's for sure... I was one of the Grilled Cheese Truck's first and most faithful customers -- until they apparently abandoned my 'hood for hipper ones... Haven't had chance to read all the comments yet (limited WiFi here on Croatian islands, where I'd gladly swap their heavier Turkish-inspired "sir burek" for a golden grilled cheese right now) , but if nobody's yet mentioned sweet relish, let me recommend that ... Or (separately) sliced olives... Yum!...

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Hilaryh
5/13/2015 09:18:02 am

Given that that truck is based in Gardena, a decidedly UNHIP area, and your hood is West Hollywood, a decidedly HIP area, I find it funny that it would abandon your hood for greener pastures! RE: your condiment of choice, putting on sweet relish makes complete sense, since my mom served mine with sweet bread and butter pickles on the side. I think it's time for you to come home to a good grilled cheese sandwich, my friend!

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Karen
5/14/2015 09:47:40 am

I have to weigh in Hilary! My family loved meatloaf, made with rolled oats. I still make it when my brothers come visit...because no one else will make it for them. Velveeta! Makes me think of my mother every time I see or hear about it. (Her name was Velva). Grilled cheese was always with the product, though I now use Tillamok Cheddar. But one of our favorite comfort foods was macaroni and cheese with ham. She made it with a white sauce she melted Velveeta into. I still make this for my brothers too! But I really miss her meatballs cooked in mushroom gravy over rice. She put rolled oats (a great meat extender) onion and bell
peppers in with the ground beef. Gosh, you have given me a trip down memory lane, AND made me hungry. BTW, my husband likes none of these meals except the grilled cheese/tomato soup combo!

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Hilary
5/14/2015 03:47:24 pm

OH, I'm glad you understand the wonderful-ness that is Velveeta! Tillamok is our cheese of choice, too, when we're going for "real" cheese, that is! That mac and cheese sounds heavenly, by the way. I tried making the oatmeal meatloaf and it just didn't work for me! So, you'll have to invite my hubby over when your brothers come and visit. :)

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Karen
5/21/2015 03:37:37 pm

when I next make it for them I will make an extra small loaf for Larry. And call you to meet me in MB to pick it up!

Mimi Cohen link
5/18/2015 09:49:05 am

My all time go-to diner food is grilled cheese - swiss on whole wheat with tomato. Now that ya mention it, I could go for one Right Now!

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Hilary
5/19/2015 01:01:42 pm

Now, THAT sounds REALLY GOOD! But, it has to be with a real farm tomato.. not what passes for a tomato at the grocery store. Did you used to get this at Lyric? :)

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Hilary
5/22/2015 01:19:14 pm

Karen... I am going to hold you to this promise! :)

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    Hilary Roberts Grant

    Journalist, editor, filmmaker, foodie--and a clown! 
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