Test Kitchens Favorite Grilled Cheese Recipes

TEST KITCHEN'S FAVORITE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Arrange bread in a single layer on a clean work surface. Stir together butter and mayonnaise. Spread mixture evenly onto one side of every slice (1 scant tablespoon per slice).
• Heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium. Flip over bread on work surface (so it's plain-side up). Place 1 1/2 slices American cheese on 4 slices, and 1/4 cup cheddar on remaining 4 slices. Carefully sandwich together.
• Place sandwiches in skillet (in two batches, if needed). Reduce heat to medium-low; gently top sandwiches with a lid slightly smaller than skillet for even cooking. Cook, flipping once halfway through, until crisp and golden on both sides and cheese is melted, 7 to 9 minutes. Serve immediately.

THE ULTIMATE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the cheeses, garlic powder and seasoned salt. Spread 5 slices of bread with the cheese mixture, about 1/3 cup on each. Top with remaining bread. , Butter the outsides of sandwiches. In a skillet over medium heat, toast sandwiches for 4-5 minutes on each side or until bread is lightly browned and cheese is melted.

TEST KITCHEN'S FAVORITE TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium-high. When butter melts, add onion, garlic, and 2 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring often, until soft and golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in flour; cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes and juice, broth, and basil sprigs. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tomatoes are very soft and breaking down, about 20 minutes. Discard basil sprigs and let cool slightly.
• Working in batches, puree soup in a blender until smooth; return to saucepan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. To serve, rewarm over medium-low heat, divide among bowls, and top with basil leaves, a drizzle of oil, and more black pepper.

MIKE'S FAVORITE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet to medium high heat. Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of both bread slices; place one slice bread, buttered-side-down, in hot skillet. Immediately place both cheese slices on bread and cover with second bread slice, butter-side-up. When first side is browned, turn over and brown other side. Remove from heat and let cool 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

ADULT GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Process cheddar, Brie, and wine in food processor until smooth paste is formed, 20 to 30 seconds. Add shallot and pulse to combine, 3 to 5 pulses. Combine butter and mustard in small bowl.
• 2. Working on parchment paper-lined counter, spread mustard butter evenly over 1 side of slices of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and spread cheese mixture evenly over slices. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread, buttered sides up.
• 3. Preheat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. (Droplets of water should just sizzle when flicked onto pan.) Place 2 sandwiches in skillet; reduce heat to medium-low; and cook until both sides are crispy and golden brown, 6 to 9 minutes per side, moving sandwiches to ensure even browning. Remove sandwiches from skillet and let stand for 2 minutes before serving. Repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches.
• 4. (Cooked sandwiches can be held on a wire rack on a baking sheet in a 250˚F oven while the second round cooks.)