Surely all but the lactose-intolerant enjoy the mighty grilled cheese sandwich. Anybody from children to the elderly always enjoy the simplicity of melted cheese and toasted bread. There is an obstacle that has proved impermeable to some, however. The process used in preparing this delectable meal can be downright frustrating unless the proper steps are taken. To those of whom this may apply, read on to discover the enlightened golden path.

Step one, ingredients. Two slices of any type of bread, though white and wheat work best. And as for cheeses, there are many kinds of combinations that you can use. Though it may be more expensive, the best route for buying cheese is to get it over the counter from a local deli. And unless you are cooking the cheese monger sandwich for someone like myself, I would say never to go over three slices of cheese, because it can create quite a mess and sometimes not all of the cheese will be melted. The last ingredient is butter of some type. This can be anything from butter to spraying butter, margarine spread or even margarine in a spray bottle. For the health conscious, I would suggest wheat bread and margarine.

The next step is preparation. For this you will need a pan. Non-stick pans will help keep the mess at a minimum, though if you have none then use whatever is available. Also have a spatula at the ready, for cooking the sandwich will be quick. You can go ahead and set the stove to a medium flame while you make preparations. If you are using butter spread, carefully apply it to one side of the bread. Be careful not to tear the bread! If you are using a spray, then use it lightly on a single side of the bread. After having both pieces buttered up, you will finally be ready to cook this gourmet meal!

Place one slice of bread into the center of the pan, with the buttered side facing down. Be ready to put the slices of cheese on. The first slice should be in alignment with the bread, and the second should be turned three-o’clock, so that there are corners sticking out from the left, right, top and bottom sides. (If there is a third slice, put it in alignment with the bread again).

Finally place the last piece of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up. Let it sit until the bottom browns. Now comes the only tricky part, with which I have failed. You will have to flip the sandwich in order to cook the other side. Slide the spatula underneath the sandwich, then quickly turn it over and let the bread fall. If the cheese was melted correctly, then the sandwich should stay intact. Allow the other side of the sandwich to toast. It is nearly ready to be devoured1

Lastly, place the sandwich onto a plate or a napkin to cool for a few seconds. Pour yourself a nice, tall glass of milk or grab an iced coffee for they pair nicely with this meal. There are many variations to making this sandwich, but I have found that this way is the simplest and most delicious. Other ways of making this classic meal more exciting is to experiment with different types of cheeses, breads, and spreads. My current favorite is one slice of sharp cheddar, a single slice of American, with the sides being buttered with margarine in a bottle. One combination I would like to try is a slice of peppered jack and a slice of Swiss cheese. Try your own and see what you like best!