Must Try Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Coffee and Soup seem to be getting all the attention on here lately, so today I thought I'd share my thoughts (and the closest thing I have to recipes) on the BEST grilled cheeses I've had over the years.

Now, to be honest, I'm slightly obsessed with cheese, so there is no such thing as a "bad" grilled cheese as far as I'm concerned, but there are some that are better than others...

So, my top three are as follows: (and please don't ask me to put them in an order because I just don't think I can do it, they each have their own special place in my heart!)

White Pizza Grilled Cheese

white-pizza-grilled-cheese

  • Ricotta Cheese
  • Spinach
  • Onions (white, spanish, or yellow), sliced
  • Tomatoes, sliced
  • Mozzarella
  • Balsamic
  • Salt, Pepper, Basil, Garlic, Oregano to taste
  • Bread
  • Butter for brushing on bread

First, season your ricotta cheese with basil, garlic (I use the chopped in water that you find at the grocery store), oregano, salt and pepper to your taste. If possible, do this step a little bit ahead of time (1/2 hour at least) so that your flavors have a chance to blend.

Second, in a saute pan over medium heat, add your spinach, tomatoes, and onions with a little bit of oil or butter and a splash of balsamic vinegar. You don't want your veggies to be "wet", so go sparingly on your liquids. Season veggies with salt and pepper to taste as well. Cook until your onions are transparent (5-7 minutes).

Now it's time to assemble! Take your bread of choice and spread a healthy portion of the seasoned ricotta onto the bottom slice, next add a layer of your cooked veggies (try not to get much liquid or your sandwich will be soggy). Top the veggies with a handful of mozzarella cheese, top with the second slice of buttered bread and grill! 

 

Ultimate Chipotle Bacon Grilled Cheese

chipotle-bacon-grilled-cheese

  • 3oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 C mayonnaise
  • 1 C mozzarella, shredded
  • 1 C cheddar, shredded
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped fine
  • Bacon
  • 1/2 tsp garlic
  • 1/8 tsp seasoned salt
  • butter (for brushing on bread)
  • bread

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the cheeses, garlic powder and seasoned salt. Add chipotle peppers and adobo sauce until the mixture is as spicy as you would like it, they are more smokey than hot, so you may use more than you expect to get a little bit of heat.

Cook bacon. Assemble sandwiches with cheese mixture and a layer of bacon, grill, and enjoy!
Adapted from Taste of Home
They say this will yeild 5 servings, but that will depend on what bread you use and how cheesy you like it!

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese

spinach-artichoke-grilled-cheese

As I mentions in my Did You Ever Wonder? post, I am a huge Pinterest nerd and this recipe was one of my favorite finds from there. Props for this recipe go to the Taste and Tell Blog.

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (I used the diced stuff that I mentioned earlier!)
  • 6 oz baby spinach (about 4 cups)
  • Dash of freshly grated nutmeg (I used dried, worked just fine Smile )
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chopped artichoke hearts, drained
  • 8 slices white bread
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter
  • 1 cup Wisconsin Monterey Jack cheese, grated (I used mozzarella)

In a saute pan over medium heat add the spinach and garlic to the olive oil and cook until it is wilted down. Add in the nutmeg and season to taste with salt and pepper. When the spinach is wilted down, stir in the sour cream and the artichoke hearts.
Assemble your sandwiches with the spinach artichoke mixture and a handful of cheese, top with a slice of buttered bread, butter side out, and grill until melty and delicious!

I also tried this sandwich with some bacon, because let's face it, bacon is pretty delicious on most things, and it was fantastic. We also thought it would be good with some grilled chicken as another way to mix it up, but it was fantasitc all on its own!

Now, for those of you who have been Comfort Zone customers for years, you may be thinking, "Zenia, what about the Three Cheese!?", to which I will tell you, that that trusty favorite is still around, and still has it's own place in my heart and memories! There is NOTHING that could replace a CZ 3 Cheese with a cup of creamy tomato rice soup, but its cousins are quite tasty too...and frankly, I didn't think you'd need a recipe for that one, all of its ingredients are listed on the menu! The simplicity is part of its virtue <3 

So I ask you, what is your favorite version of a grilled cheese sandwich? Is there something you would suggest we try at the Comfort Zone? I am always open to suggestions! 

And now I'm hungry...

~Zenia

 

 

 

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Comfort Zone Cafe, Hamburg, NY