Bread and melted cheese has been a winning combination since the time of the ancient Romans, but the modern grilled cheese sandwich picked up steam with the invention of both pre-sliced bread and processed cheese in the early 20th century. Of course, more sophisticated and elaborate versions exist, like the French Croque Monsieur (bread, melted cheese, and ham) or Croque Madame (bread, melted cheese, ham, and a fried egg), and you can get endless variety by substituting different kinds of bread, cheese, and other toppings. You can also prepare the humble grilled cheese in a multitude of ways, whether in the oven, on the stovetop, with a panini press, or even in a waffle iron. If you’re looking for inspiration in creating the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, check out The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Guide over on the Food and Wine website.
