Grinning for Grilled Cheese!
Happy National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day! A comfort food in American culture, the grilled cheese sandwich can be dated back to ancient times in different forms and tastes. The earliest known recipes can be found in Ancient Roman cookbooks. The modern grilled cheese sandwich began in the 1920’s consisting of just three ingredients: processed American cheese, butter and sliced white bread.
On this National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, let’s forget the “modern” grilled cheese and amp it up with taste and nutrients.
Great Grilled Cheese Ideas and Tips:
- Switch from white bread to whole grain to add fiber, zinc, magnesium, folic acid, chromium and vitamins B6 and E to your sandwich.
- Fat-free cheese can be difficult to melt so opt for low-fat or vegan cheeses which actually melt quite well.
- Lightly brush olive oil on each slice of bread instead of butter before grilling for “healthy” monounsaturated fat.
- Add sliced pear or apple! You’ll love this slightly sweet taste and added fiber.
- American cheese is great for melting but low in flavor and highly processed. Try a cheese with strong flavor like sharp cheddar.
- Add veggies! Tomatoes are the usual choice but why stop there? Onions, spinach and broccoli are great too.
- Cut the fat by skipping the greasy pan and grill the sandwich with a Panini maker.
- No Panini maker? Apply pressure on top of the sandwich with a mug or another pan.
- Love dipping your grilled cheese in tomato soup? Be sure to opt for a low sodium brand.
Grilled cheese is often reminiscent of your childhood, and when done right can be nutritious too!
Your turn to take action: What are some nutritious additions you like to put into your grilled cheese sandwich?
Love this Bonnie! I haven’t had grilled cheese in a while, but when I do I love to add tomatoes and avocado to it. I like your suggestion for pears or apples too. That sounds delish.
And, it’s been a long time since I’ve used white bread.
Thanks much. Have a great grilled cheese sandwich day!
~Debra
Yum, adding avocado sounds awesome too. It’s lunch time now, so I am heading to make a grilled cheese with tomato and avocado! Thanks for adding that suggestion Debra.
I don’t know why I bother reading some of these posts first thing in the morning before breakfast! Grilled cheese looks so yummy! I can’t believe that anyone would make them with butter and white bread. As you mentioned above, there are so many more healthier ways to prepare them, and a variety of healthy additions. Those are some great tips. I’m definitely going to have to get me a grilled cheese today!
~ Jodene
Hi Jodene. You would be surprised how many people I come across in my practice that still use white bread. Sounds crazy, but once I educate them on the benefit of whole grains, they do make the switch. Thanks for your comment, and enjoy your grilled cheese today!
LOL – Reading this right before lunch. I was so-o-o gonna have a sensible salad.
Count me in: I make grilled cheese in the panini maker too.
Visiting from the Ultimate Blog Challenge page.
OMG, so funny Linda Ann. Enjoy!
Oh man, I have to try some of these GREAT ideas!! I love the one with the fruit in it….hmmmm….yummy!
Let me know how you like it after you try it!