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28 Phonebox Magazine | April 2025Grilled cheese sandwiches are so popular that there%u2019s even a special day for them set aside in America. And whatever the USA can do, so can we, and millions of people in the UK love a hot cheese toastie.National Grilled Cheese Day is celebrated across the States on 12th April, which means it%u2019s time to enjoy one of the best, cheesiest, crunchiest and most comforting sandwiches around. They can be enjoyed fairly plain with just your favourite cheese inside, or you can experiment and add in some tasty extras to create your ultimate toastie. But whichever way you choose, there are lots of options to try to fi nd the best grilled cheese sandwich for you.5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL GRILLED CHEESE DAY1. Make Your Own Grilled Cheese SandwichGather about you your bread, butter and favourite cheeses and make some grilled cheese sandwiches with family or friends. Add in your extras, such as tomato, onion, mayonnaise or even a sprinkle of garlic powder, or try diff erent cheeses like hard cheese, blue or soft French varieties.2. Throw a Grilled Cheese PartyReally experiment with this one: set out various types of bread, cheese and toppings like a grilled cheese stall so you and your guests can make custom grilled cheese sandwiches. Use half slices of bread to make smaller sandwiches so that you can try new types before you get too full.3. Have a Fancy Fondue NightNot strictly grilled sandwiches but the cheesy link is defi nitely there. Cheese fondues are fun and sociable easy to try new varieties of hot cheese, and paired with crusty bread, they can be a delicious way to pass a few hours one evening. Bring out some chocolate for melting to make a brilliant dessert.4. Have a Grilled Cheese and Soup Pairing NightGrilled cheese sandwiches go well with a bowl of soup. The combination works whether you eat the sandwich alongside the soup, or you dunk it into the liquid for a tasty combo. Invite friends to bring their own soup, and you%u2019ll introduce yet another layer of fl avour to your evening.A good grilled cheese sandwich takes a lot of beating. Tasty, nutritious and warming, they are so Warm and toastie!easy to make. Here%u2019s how.5. Set Up a Cheesy Charcuterie PartyThe cheese and charcuterie board does not necessarily involve bread but still celebrates the wonder of cheese. Swap the bread out for crackers and pile up some great cheeses from around the world with slices of meat, pickles and salad or fruits such as apples and grapes, for a board everyone will tuck into.GREAT GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH (SERVES ONE)Ingredients:Bread: thick sliced or sourdough makes a terrifi c sandwichButter: Use a generous dollop of butter on each slice of breadCheese: cheddar, gouda, camembert, blue, or a combination? The choice is yoursMethod:Butter the bread: 1/2 tbsp butter on one side of each slice of breadHeat pan: place a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan over low to medium heat %u2013 around 130C. Add two slices of bread with the buttered side downAdd cheese: stack the cheese on one of the pieces of bread, cover it with the other piece of toast and fl ip the sandwich overCook: total cooking time for a grilled cheese sandwich over low to medium heat is 6-7 minutes. In that time the outside should crisp up and brown, and the cheese inside will fully meltBrown: continue heating until both sides of the sandwich are golden brown Serve: cut sandwich diagonally to serve. Enjoy!GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH FUN FACTS%u2022 The ancient Romans were the fi rst civilisation to cook bread and cheese together%u2022 Grilled cheese sandwiches did not start out as a sandwich. During World War II, it was just one piece of bread with a slice of cheese on top. The second slice was added in the 1960s%u2022 It was originally called a Cheese Dream. Between 1920 and 1970, this was how you would ask for one at a US restaurant %u2022 In the UK they are more commonly known as %u2018Toasties%u2019 while the French call them %u2018Croque Monsieur%u2019 (with ham)%u2022 The USA once had a Grilled Cheese Invitational. From 1993 to 2014, experts gathered to compete, and one of the makers would be crowned %u2018the best%u2019%u2022 One sandwich has about 300 calories %u2022 A grilled cheese sandwich which bore the image of the Virgin Mary sold for %u00a322,000 on eBay%u2022 The world record for eating grilled cheese sandwiches is 47 in 10 minutes