Frannie, Grilled Cheese & The Donkey....

Frannie, Grilled Cheese and the Donkey...

I can see your faces already... you're reading this and saying, Grilled Cheese, Donkey? Really Michelle? Really? Well look, when my friend Frannie came to me with a hilarious memory of an Aunt who used to make the best grilled cheese sandwiches I had the same reaction! But her story was just so cute and funny and she really did want to know how to make them... so I set out to see if I could find a way to help her relive this memory. Here is her story in her own words...

"This photo was taken in my aunt Genevieve's living room in Tell City, Indiana. My grandmother would take me to her house for a few weeks every summer. She was my god mother. She was always happy, loving, and was never without a smile. Four boys and a girl did not break her. I loved her house it always smelled like cedar. She would cook anything anyone wanted and never complained. She was a nurse in WWII stationed in France, but would never talk about it. I was also not allowed to ask. Oh, she was rollie pollie and always wore a dress. Her neighbor had a donkey that wore a straw hat and it stayed in the neighbors back yard. I loved that donkey."

So... grilled cheese you say....What's not to know about how to make it? You slap a piece of Velvetta Cheese in the middle of a piece of two pieces of Webbers plain white bread, throw it in a frying pan and VOILA! Ok... not so simple... pump the brakes my friends... because you've never had a Grilled Cheese Sandwich like this and I know you're gonna love it! I know this because not only did I try it and love it too, but Frannie and her family have been singing lunch time praises to this great grilled cheese recipe!

The great thing about a grilled cheese sandwich is that there are so many variations that you can do to it! You can add just about anything to it and well, it's just yummy home goodness!

Frannie, I'm not quite sure what the donkey will think about them, but I know they're sure to be a part of some new memories you make with your family now! I hope all of you will be able to make some new Grilled Cheese memories too!!

Classic Grilled Cheese

• 8 Slices Firm Sandwich Bread
• Cheddar Cheese (mild, medium or sharp)
• 3 to 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• Mayonaisse (optional)
• Dijon Mustard (optional)

Preparation Spread bread slices with a thin layer of mayonnaise and/or mustard and evenly divide the grated Cheddar over four slices of bread. Top with remaining four slices. Heat half of the butter in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in skillet and spread remaining butter over top slices of bread. Cover skillet. Cook about 3 minutes, until underside is golden brown. Carefully flip sandwiched with spatula and continue cooking, uncovered, 2 to 3 minutes, until cheese is melted and underside is browned. Serve immediately. Tips For The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich Use real butter. The flavor of fresh butter is important for a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. Butter the outer side of the bread, not the pan. The butter will be more evenly distributed, which ensures a properly golden,crisp sandwich. Grate or shred the cheese; it will melt faster. When using dense breads, slice them no more than 1/2-inch thick, so that the heat can penetrate and melt the cheese. Press the sandwich with a spatula after it’s been flipped, to help the melted cheese spread evenly. Use a nonstick pan instead of cast-iron. The sandwich is less likely to stick to the pan, which makes clean-up much easier.

Optional Ingredients that can be substituted for an even better sandwich!

• Grilled Vegetables or Chicken
• Experiment with Cheese! Smoked Gouda, Mozarella, Muenster, Fontina or even Swiss
• Add some Ham or Turkey Slices
• Pan Fried Bacon

I hope that you keep sending me those memories, stories and recipes!!!

michelle@foodfromthehearttv.com

www.foodfromthehearttv.com