{Book Review} 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

My boys love grilled cheese, and would eat it several times a week or as often as they could talk me into making it! They love helping to layout the required items and know exactly what is needed to make a classic grilled cheese. To see my little guy lugging the bread out of the pantry is too cute. Did you know that grilled cheese is no longer, just white bread, garlic powder, butter, and American cheese? What if I told you there are 150 different ways you could make a grilled cheese sandwich? My family tried it, and we cannot stop trying all of the variations we found in 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! We found out that my oldest son loves tomato on his, with any kind of cheese! My youngest isn't as adventurous, but tried apples and strawberries on his grilled cheese, and loved it! I am challenging you, to change it up and get past American cheese on white sliced bread...are you up for the challenge?

The classic grilled cheese sandwich is now one of the biggest trends in cooking and is enjoying an incredible resurgence in popularity. Top bloggers, NPR and television networks report that grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the top food trends to watch out for — many have even said that “grilled cheese is the new burger.” Specialty restaurants are popping up all over the country, and many established chefs are tweaking their menus to include their take on this beloved comfort food. Best of all, grilled cheese sandwiches are easy to make, so they’re ideal for college students, beginner cooks and even kids who want to help out in the kitchen. Whether you like to enjoy your sandwich with soup in the winter or with seasonal summer produce, these classic and new recipes fit the bill.

• Easy melting cheeses can be found most anywhere and include American, Brie, Cheddar,Colby, Fontina, Gouda, Gruyere, Havarti, Jarlsberg, Monterrey Jack, Mozzarella, Muenster, Provolone, and Swiss.
• Other cheeses that melt and pack great flavor include Asiago, Blue Cheese, Goat Cheese, Gorgonzola, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Allison and 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, teaches you you how to pair the right bread with your cheese: Brioche and Challah breads provide rich egg flavor and awesome texture.

Brie and Raspberry Pannini with Hazelnut Spread

This is a new twist on the classic combination of chocolate and Brie. The surprising freshness from the raspberries really puts it over the top.

8  Slices sourdough bread

2 tbsp  butter, softened

1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella

4 oz  Brie, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh raspberries, chopped

1. Brush one side of each bread slice equally with butter. Place bread on a work surface, butter side down. Spread 4 bread slices equally with chocolate-hazelnut spread, Top with Brie and raspberries, Cover with remaining bread slices, butter side up, and press together gently.
2. Place sandwiches on preheated panini grill or in a large skillet over medium heat and cook, turning once if using a skillet, for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Variation: Substitute 8 brioche slices for sourdough bread

Serves: 4

Alison Lewis is a nationally known recipe developer, television and social media food spokesperson and consultant, mom food blogger, food educator, food photographer/stylist and nutritionist, and is president of ingredients, inc., a food consulting company in Birmingham, Alabama.

150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches can be found at Amazon or other major retailers

248 pages total • 7" x 10"
24 color photo pages • Index
ISBN 978-0-7788-0412-3
$24.95 CA / $24.95 US / £16.95 UK
Publication date: October 2012

*I was not compensated for this review, but sent a copy of the book for my personal review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.