Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Keeping to the 30 Family Favorite Recipes theme...

I'm posting one of my favorite simple recipes today because I have a million things to get done. I'm working on getting my first ever passport today!

As some of you know, I am a nursing student. This semester, over winter break, actually, I have the chance to travel to Ecuador for nearly a month as part of a cultural nursing course. I am excited and a bit nervous, but mostly in a panic to get the paperwork in order.

Sooooo...with that said, Ultimate Grilled Cheese it is. Probably for dinner tonight, too.

We all pretty much know how to make grilled cheese, right? Butter the outside of the bread and slap a piece of cheese inside, then fry it up.

What makes it really good is....drumroll, please...shredded Parmesan cheese toasted up to golden, crispy deliciousness on the outside.

The Parmesan can make even standard American cheese slices taste amazing.

Think Sizzler's Cheese Toast made into a sandwich.

For the record, the stuff in the plastic container will work in a pinch, but it tends to be saltier and isn't nearly as good.

Step it up and try Swiss cheese slices (yep, Kraft, in the wrapper).

Wanna get wild?

Use pepperjack cheese. On sourdough bread. With Parmesan on the outside.

Or slice a big, fat loaf of sweet French bread into a two-inch thick slice, from the bottom, cut a little pocket into the center of it (almost like you're trying to cut it into two slices but leaving the sides intact), stuff it with a slice of mozzarella cheese, and dip the outside in shredded Parmesan.

Notice how everything comes back to Parmesan?

Try it. You'll thank me. =]

Ultimate Grilled Cheese

2 slices bread of choice
1 slice cheese of choice to cover bread
Butter
Shredded Parmesan cheese

       Butter one side of each piece of bread. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on a small plate. Press bread, buttered side down on the Parmesan. This makes the cheese stick a bit better than if you just sprinkled directly onto the bread. Place cheese between non buttered sides of bread.
       Grill in a non-stick pan at medium heat, flipping when the first side becomes golden brown. You know the routine. Don't wander away to be efficient and do something else, because it can burn fast. Especially if you think you have a minute to go check Facebook. I know.