April 15th. A day that strikes dread into the hearts of Americans everywhere. If tax day has gotten you down, I have just the antidote. Why not console yourself with the ultimate comfort food...grilled cheese. (Technical aside: Traditionally, Tax Day is April 15. This year, because of a relatively obscure DC government holiday, Tax Day is April 18, which is also Patriot's Day, a holiday in New England that is often celebrated with more enthusiasm than the 4th of July. But I digress.)
As you may have heard, April is National Grilled Cheese Month, 30 days of celebrating the glories of toasted, golden cheesy goodness. Whether you use a frying pan and spatula, a panini press, or an iron in your dorm room, grilled cheese is good for what ails you, just about any time.
So many grilled cheeses, so little time. Here are eleven bloggers and chefs who have given us their unique take on this American favorite. These all look so good, I plan to work my way through the list, one sammy at a time!
From A Yummy Mommy comes the Chicken Pesto Smoked Bacon Delight. Delightful doesn't begin to describe this mommy's yumminess!
Chicken Pesto Smoked Bacon Delight
My go-to foodie friends, Susie and Chelsie, famously known around the blogosphere as We Are Not Martha threw a grilled cheese party and invited everyone to come. They made lots of grilled cheese goodies, but my very favorite was this Bacon & Avocado Grilled Cheese, combining salty, cheesy, cheddary goodness.
Bacon & Avocado Grilled Cheese
From the blog Cheese Is Alive comes this complex and very grown-up grilled cheese with a combination of Cheddar and Goat Cheese. It's "a little bit sweet and a little bit tangy." And a lot tasty! Can't wait to see what this is all about.
Grilled Goat Cheese & Cheddar with Crabapple Jam
Here's one that was a fan favorite when we posted it on the Cabot Facebook Page - from The Small Boston Kitchen. Who wouldn't love a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon apple jam? I mean, really.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon Apple Jam
From Cabot's own Chef - and fishing legend - Jimmy Kennedy comes a New England classic, The Ver-Monte Cristo inspired by fresh, local ingredients. French toast grilled cheese? Mais oui!
The Ver-Monte Cristo
And speaking of Vermont legends, check out rising rock star and tour bus chef, Grace Potter, of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Grace can rock the stage or some Cabot Hot Habanero Cheddar for a stellar sandwich. This is grilled cheese with a real kick...not for the faint of heart.
Hot Habanero Mexican Delight
Some of you may have missed my own blog post in honor of this special month, Pancetta & Spinach Grilled Cheese, with a side of Bacon Wrapped Matzo Balls. Oh my! This one has it all...color, flavor, and veggies.
Pancetta & Spinach Grilled Cheese
How about this next post from A Toast to Taste, riffing on the much-loved standard? It's Grilled Cheese with Vermont Cheddar (Cabot, of course) and Prosciutto, layering sharp cheddar and thin slices of prosciutto between rustic Italian bread.
Grilled Cheese with Vermont Cheddar & Prosciutto
In this blog post on Nutritioulicious, we found a lower calorie, full flavor version of an old favorite. Instead of butter, they use a lower calorie spread to coat the pan. They also substituted sandwich thins in place of regular bread to save 50 or 60 more calories. This recipe calls for Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar, but I'm going to go one step further and try it with Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar. It melts like a dream, with less fat and calories.
Nutritioulicious™ Grilled Cheese
For those of you celebrating the Passover season, my friend Robin Cohen of Doves and Figs created this innovative - and quite delectable - way to honor the traditions of the holiday while enjoying the spirit of grilled cheese month. Her Drunken Passover Grilled Cheese is destined to become a family favorite in my house.
Drunken Passover Grilled Cheese
And finally, from Cook Like James, I give you simply "The World's Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich," at least that's what James calls it. And I have to admit, it looks pretty darned delicious. I love that he grates his cheese before cooking. The better to melt it, my dear.
Whether your family is celebrating Easter or Passover or just the arrival of spring, I wish you all a very happy Grilled Cheese Month! Check back at the end of the month for more Grilled Cheese madness.