Make a Fabulous Grilled Sandwich

When making a grilled sandwich, it is absolutely essential that you use the best ingredients.  If you want your sandwich to be fabulous, you have to start out with a good bread.  Go to your local bakery and find a bread that you like.  I suggest using a pumpernickel, cracked wheat, or whole wheat bread.  Don’t, I repeat… don’t use the cheapest bread available at your grocery store.  It doesn’t have any substance, and definitely won’t add to the quality of your sandwich.

Next, you’ll need butter.  Real butter that is.  Unwrap a stick of salted butter and place it on a plate (to bring to room temperature) for about 2 hours before preparing your sandwich.  I’ve found that the margarine either in stick form or from a tub sticks to the pan, and can make the sandwich taste like chemicals have been added.

The cheese you choose to add to your grilled sandwich will also make a significant difference.  I generally buy my cheese fresh from the deli.  Swiss, Muenster and Cheddar are among some of my favorites.  My least favorite is regular, American cheese.  There’s nothing “wow” about it.  It’s too expected; and will not make a stand-out grilled sandwich.

Pick a meat that isn’t too flavorful, but is somewhat dry.  Again, I’ve had the best luck at my local deli to find the freshest, best quality lunch meat.  Oven roasted turkey, black forest ham, chicken breast, and roast beef are my favorite meats.

Make the sandwich your own.  Add 1 or 2 vegetables to your grilled sandwich.  It doesn’t have to be picky.  Tomatoes work well, as do cucumbers, spinach, avocados, peppers, artichokes, olives.   If you like mayo, horseradish, or spicy mustard feel free to add that as well.  The flavor will cook into your sandwich as it grills.  I would caution not to add more than 1 sauce or spread though at risk of it getting very messy and possibly over-powering the other flavors.

And there you have it… a fabulous, custom-built grilled sandwich.  I promise, once you perfect the art of the grilled sandwich, you’ll never want to eat-out again!  (Yes, they’re that good!)