Grilled cheese sandwich
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A grilled cheese sandwich is a relatively simple sandwich, generally consisting of two pieces of sliced bread (buttered on the outside surfaces in some locales), and some cheese. Traditionally, cheddar is used, although in the USA a processed cheese known as American cheese is also quite popular. Other kinds of cheese can be used, such as Swiss cheese, but these are mostly regional variants. Meat or pickles and/or mustard added to the grilled cheese are other variations. It is also not unheard of for fresh sliced tomato to be added. Another popular American variation is the "tuna melt", made by simply adding tuna, often canned, to the traditional grilled cheese sandwich.
The assembled sandwich is then placed on a griddle, pan, or dedicated sandwich maker to be heated. Once the bread on the bottom half of the sandwich has reached a toast-like texture, the sandwich is flipped, and continues cooking until the other side has toasted or the cheese has melted.
In Britain, Ireland and Australia a similar dish is often referred to as "cheese on toast", "toasted cheese", Welsh rabbit or "roasted cheese", and is normally made with one slice of bread or toast (an open sandwich), topped with cheddar, and broiled (grilled) until the cheese has melted. Some people like to sprinkle condiments over the cheese; the possibilities are limited only by the imagination, but especially popular variations include Worcestershire sauce, powdered oregano, powdered paprika, or cayenne pepper.
Compare the French Croque-monsieur and the Italian Tost.
It is often enjoyed as a side-dish to tomato soup, sometimes dunked.
Virgin Mary sandwich
Main article: Virgin Mary grilled cheese
In 2004, a ten year old grilled cheese sandwich with a supposed likeness to the Virgin Mary and a single bite from it, was posted on eBay. eBay initially took the auction down believing it was a joke, but after reviewing the auction, the site allowed it to go on under the conditions that it be a specially regulated auction (due to the outrageous bids placed before these restrictions were in place). As of November 18, 2004, the auction had grown into something of an internet phenomenon, with over two hundred eBay auctions for items relating to grilled cheese sandwiches resembling the Virgin Mary. The sandwich was finally sold for US$28,000 to an internet casino on November 23, 2004.
Cheezer
In the fall of 1994, a short-lived fad in The Netherlands was the so-called Cheezer, which was a pita bread sliced open, filled with a slice of cheese and covered with jam. This was then wrapped in aluminum foil and grilled. The Cheezer was not available in stores, but was to be home made. This was an experiment to see how an audience of teenagers would respond to a commercial clip and some Cheezer give-aways. The conclusion of the experiment is not known, but it has not led to a significant increase in cheese sales.
External link
- BBC News: 'Virgin Mary' toast fetches $28,000 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4034787.stm)