Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day is celebrated annually on April 12th. This day is dedicated to one of America’s most beloved comfort foods, the grilled cheese sandwich. This classic sandwich is made by toasting two slices of bread with a layer of cheese in between, which is then melted to form a gooey and delicious sandwich.

Grilled cheese sandwiches have been around for centuries, with the first mention of a cheese–filled sandwich in recorded history dating back to the first century A.D. The earliest version of the grilled cheese sandwich was a plain piece of bread with cheese placed in between two slices. This simple meal was popular among ancient Greeks and Romans. In the 14th century, grilled cheese sandwiches began to be served open–faced with the cheese melted on top. This was the beginning of the beloved grilled cheese sandwich we know today. Grilled cheese sandwiches have been a popular food in America since the 1920s, During the Great Depression, grilled cheese sandwiches were a cheap and easy meal that could be made with limited ingredients. Kraft Singles hit the market in 1949 and made it much easier to make a grilled cheese sandwich. Today, the grilled cheese sandwich is still a popular comfort food. Many people have found creative ways to make their own unique versions of the classic grilled cheese sandwich. From adding different cheeses and toasting techniques to adding special ingredients like bacon and tomatoes, to more elaborate combinations like brie and apple, there is no shortage of delicious ways to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich. 

According to the National Dairy Council, Americans consume approximately 2.2 billion servings of grilled cheese per year. In terms of worldwide consumption, it is difficult to estimate, as data is not available for many countries.

Here Are Some Fun Facts About Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

• Grilled cheese is an ancient dish: The ancient Romans were known to enjoy a dish similar to grilled cheese, made by frying cheese between two slices of bread.
• The classic American grilled cheese sandwich became popular during the Great Depression: During this time, cheese and bread were inexpensive and readily available, making grilled cheese sandwiches a popular and affordable meal.
• April is National Grilled Cheese Month: In addition to Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on April 12th, the entire month of April is dedicated to celebrating this delicious comfort food.
• The world’s largest grilled cheese sandwich weighed over 3200 pounds: In 2014, a group of chefs in California created the world’s largest grilled cheese sandwich, which weighed in at over 3200 pounds.
• The most expensive grilled cheese sandwich in the world costs over $200: The “Quintessential Grilled Cheese” at the Serendipity 3 restaurant in New York City features gold flakes and a variety of expensive cheeses, and costs over $200.
• Grilled cheese can be made with almost any kind of cheese and bread: From classic white bread and American cheese to sourdough and brie, there are countless variations of the grilled cheese sandwich to suit any taste preference.
• Grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed with tomato soup: The combination of a warm and gooey grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of rich and tangy tomato soup is a classic pairing that is beloved by many.

Grilled Cheese Recipe

Ingredients:

-2 slices of bread

-2 slices of mozzarella cheese

-2 tablespoons of butter

-1 tablespoon of pesto

-1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

-Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Spread one side of each bread slice with butter. Place the bread, butter-side down, onto the hot skillet.
3. Place the mozzarella cheese slices on top of one slice of bread.
4. Spread pesto onto the other slice of bread and sprinkle the sun-dried tomatoes over the cheese.
5. Carefully place the pesto-covered bread over the cheese and press down lightly with a spatula.
6. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. Flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
7. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and remove from heat. Slice in half and serve. Enjoy!

Grilled cheese is my personal favorite comfort food. I have tried numerous variations but my favorite is the classic. I add a little Worcestershire Sauce in the pan when grilling the bread. That’s my secret. What’s yours?