New-Age Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Few cheese dishes come close to the comfort level offered by a grilled cheese sandwich. The buttery bread and the oozing cheese spell out ease and warmth. While grilled cheese sandwiches are hardly challenging to make, the right proportion of ingredients is key to making the perfect sandwich. Ultra-thin-sliced hearty bread, butter and the perfect amount of grated cheese are all it takes. This creates a crispy exterior for the soft melted cheese.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 cups coarsely grated cheddar cheese
4 large 1/8-thick slices country or other hearty bread, cut in half
12 fresh basil leaves (optional)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Cooking Directions:

1. Sprinkle the grated cheese over 4 slices of the bread. Top with basil leaves, if using. Cover with the remaining 4 bread slices.
2. In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cover. Cook until the sandwich is golden brown on the underside, about 3 minutes. Flip with a spatula and cook the other side until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2 more minutes. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.