The Land of the Free (but more Importantly the Grilled Cheese)

This post may be a bit late, since the Superbowl (the event that spurred me to write this post) happened weeks ago now, but frankly i don't care because at that moment i couldn't be bothered to write anything and now i can (especially with this delightful sunny weather that has not only made me very happy, but also reminded me of Californian weather). Yes, America is my topic for this post, a topic i've had in my head for a while now but haven't got quite round to ever writing it, until now of course.

Now despite the insistence of certain friends, i'm not actually American but English, because living in a country for just over a year doesn't mean i'm from there, even if i've brought back some of their culture within me. And in case you didn't know (even with the prior comments), i used to live in Concord California (which is near San Francisco) although i was only 7 at the time and even with my poor memory, i still hold memories of my time there. The one that is at the forefront of my mind at the moment is the glorious weather there (hence why today's great weather here in not-so-sunny Macclesfield prompted this post). It was never cold and rain only ever happened once a week for a half an hour downpour.

However i'm not here to talk about the weather (even though i'm English). I'm not even here to talk about my love of Southern jazz, Tex-Mex or the pickup truck (does mentioning that violate the first part of the sentence?) No, i'm here to talk about my recent discovery that will no doubt have a profound effect on my life, and could quite possibly be the most important (it's hard to see what could top it) of my life. I am of course talking about the epicly awesomeness that is the grilled cheese.

Before you start to wonder how on earth i've managed to make it thus far through life without the knowledge of the grilled cheese, let me explain that for years i've been making the toastie (or snackwich). Now i'm not sure whether i've made up some of these terms or whether they're actual terms and prehaps some people just don't understand the terminology at all, so let me explain what a toastie (or snackwich) is. Basically you get two slices of bread some filling, the classic being cheese and ham although i much preferred the cheese and baked beans, then making a sandwich out of them and putting them in a toastie maker, that seals the sandwich then continues to toast the bread and turn your fillings into a nice molten mouth-burning substance.

For years i was content with this method, even after several burnt mouths and a burnt throat (which is one of the worse injuries i've ever had), but recently i decided to try the American way of placing the bread in a frying pan, covering with whatever you filling is then placing the second slice on top and cooking on both sides. This not only resulted in a quicker sandwich but also one where the fillings were not near a plasma state, and had the ability to open up for final tweaks (e.g. sauce, and for those of you weird people, salad).

Ever since that revolutionary moment i've had many many grilled cheeses, with some general advice if you care to ever try making one. Firstly butter both slices of bread and these are the outside of the sandwich i.e. the side you fry. Secondly use whatever ingredients you think fit, i've had several different combinations all deliciously delectable (p.s. if you know any good ones, please comment below as i would love to know them.) Thirdly feel free to have one at breakfast and pour copious amounts of maple syrup onto it (might sound weird, but it really was nice, honesty).

So go forth into the kitchen armed with your frying pan, bread and cheese. Never again let you stomach remain empty or your tastebuds free from the cheesy grilledbready andwhateverelseyouputiny goodness. Oh and one last piece of advice, which i forgot before, don't be an idiot and put a whole chili in one sandwich, not that anyone would be stupid enough to do such a thing, especially not me...

Picture from http://www.closetcooking.com/ (an excellent place for grilled cheese recipes)