It’s National Grilled Cheese Day. Did you know that was a holiday? I’m not sure when this happened, but after Groundhog Day, this is my new favorite holiday. (Do other countries predict the arrival of spring with the viewing of a large rodent? I’m realizing I have no idea.)It’s my patriotic duty to melt some cheese on some bread and scarf down. Ok.
But I draw the line at American cheese. I just won’t do it. Instead, I’m going to make a grilled cheese so sublime, so rich and buttery, I’m going to need to ride around on a Rascal after it.
I first had this combination at Cafe Lalo, on the upper west side in New York City. (This is the cafe where Meg Ryan is a bitch to Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail. In case you wanted to know.) I had this grilled cheese 15 years ago and I have never forgotten it. It’s three ingredients: Gouda, spinach and a croissant.
So it seems a little silly to write you a recipe for grilled cheese. But in case you’ve never done it before-and hey, there was a time I had never made one- I’ll give you a rundown.
Cut the croissant in half lengthwise. Slice the Gouda with a cheese grater as thin as you can. put your cheese on both halves of the bread. This is important! Otherwise your sandwich won’t stick together. Now pile on your spinach and put the two halves together. Melt some butter in a frying pan, put your sandwich in, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt. Keep your flame on medium low so you don’t burn your bread. You don’t even need to flip this version of a grilled cheese.
Now, take out your sandwich, cut in half (totally optional if you’re feeling lazy) and feel proud to be an American. Enjoy!
As my little brother says, “Since when did American cheese become our national cheese? Was there, like, a vote on it or something? If so, I’m going to get it impeached and removed from office!”