Thursday Thirteen #6

April 19, 2007 12:50 pm

Thirteen Things about Little Dragon the hero in the novel I’m writing. He’s a 1950s private detective who is trying to find the missing daughter of a wealth shipping magnate who has gone missing, in a story book world. Unable to eat anything while there because consuming food or drink will trap him in the Sidhe forever he breaks down and rants about how much he wants a toasted cheese sandwich. I’ve selected 13 points about the variations of the toasted cheese sandwich he raises for my Thursday Thirteen this week…

The use of sandwich makers risks the creation of packets of cheese magma in a dehydrated crust
The Lazy Method: Take two slices of bread in the toaster and then put some cheese in the middle once they are cooked
Cheese on toast: Simply toast one side of a slice of bread. Put cheese onto the other side and toast. Not a true toasted cheese sandwich but a close relative.
The basic toasted cheese sandwich is made by making a cheese sandwich and then toast it on both sides under the grill. He considers it to be good if your in a hurry or have left over cheese sandwiches where the bread is going a bit dry but prefers The British standard cheese sandwich.
The British standard cheese sandwich: Cover a slice of bread with cheese on one side. Melt the cheese under the grill. Put a second slice of bread on top. Toast the bread till golden brown. Turn over. Toast the other side till golden brown.
There is some debate as to which cheese is best. Most people go for Cheddar or Cheshire but the connoisseur might elect to use Harlech with its distinctive horseradish taste.
Another point of debate is the shape of the sandwich before serving. Should the sandwich be cut into triangles or rectangles before serving? Insufficient demographic data has been collected on this point for a definitive answer to be arrived at.
Adding a little pesto and a bit of green salad to the filling make an interesting rather posh cafÃ©ish variation.
The biggest debate in toasted cheese sandwich making circles though is should the cheese be allowed to spill over the edge of the bread or not?
Little Dragon considers the use of processed cheese or cheese slices as an aberration
He considers structural modifications to the filling include thinly sliced tomato; sliced ham; cooked meat; or onion and garlic
Optional condiments like Worcestershire sauce, brown sauce, mustard or tomato sauce may be used with care.
He might be persuaded to settle for Welsh Rarebit which he considers the deluxe cheese on toast. Again not a true toasted cheese sandwich but no discussion of the subject would be complete without its inclusion. Larousse Gastronomique outlines the preparation as. A slice of roasted bread covered with a mixture of Cheshire or Cheddar cheese melted in pale ale with English mustard, pepper, and sometimes a dash of Worcestershire sauce and an egg yolk.

So how do you like your toasted cheese sandwich?

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31 Responses to “Thursday Thirteen #6”

That’s just a scary level of cheese sandwichness, LOL

Kim Knox on April 19th, 2007 at 12:13 am

I love detectives and yours sounds like a treat! Btw, I love cheese sandwiches too!
Thanks for visiting my collections TT.

Tink on April 19th, 2007 at 12:43 am

You would have my husband’s attention with cheese sandwiches. His favorite is put mayonnaise on one slice, add slices of tomato, topped with a slice of cheese. Place it and another piece of bread in the oven, and heat under broiler until the cheese is melted and the other piece is brown. Then, put that piece on top of the cheese. Yummy!!

http://tidbitsandtreasures.blogspot.com/2007/04/13-things-i-wish-would-change.html

Barbara on April 19th, 2007 at 12:59 am

oooh, Harlech sounds yummy! Can you use Branston Pickle in a grilled cheese?

Janet on April 19th, 2007 at 2:00 am

LOL toast with cheese… the lazy method… gotta love that! I couldn’t eat it, but it sounds like your character is delightful. Thank you! And good luck with your writing.

Rashenbo on April 19th, 2007 at 2:07 am

I love cheese sandwiches. Hubby does, too. My favorite is spread some butter on bread, put the bread face down in a pan on the stove to brown and put a piece of cheese on the bread as you’re doing so. Butter another piece of bread and put it on top, butter side facing up. When the bottom side is golden brown, flip the whole she-bang in the pan and brown the other side. In the process the cheese will melt and will be nice and gooey.

Mmmmm, I’m hungry now! I think I’ll make me a cheese sandwich.

Happy TT!

Thomma Lyn on April 19th, 2007 at 2:18 am

LOL I had a friend at University who used to make his cheese sandwiches using “the Lazy Method”. But I make mine the way Thomma Lyn described above.
Happy TT!

L^2 on April 19th, 2007 at 2:34 am

Best variations to me are the ol’ Mexican quesadilla and Welsh Rarebit. Sounds like a quirky character.

My TT is also posted.

Joan on April 19th, 2007 at 2:40 am

Of course the cheese should spill over the bread… and it should be marble… and have hot bananna peppers in the middle…

Ummmm.

she on April 19th, 2007 at 3:00 am

I love it! I’m a huge devotee of grilled cheese sandwiches – especially with some butter on the bread first and some cayenne pepper sprinkled on the cheese.

Happy TT.

Robin on April 19th, 2007 at 8:47 am

ooooh… cheese sandwiches! I want one! I usually do a lazy one, though. Maybe I will try some other methods in the future

Coco on April 19th, 2007 at 11:25 am

Yum! Toasted cheesies! I like them best from a diner…sorry Little Dragon, I’m guessing they’re made with processed cheese.

Tilly Greene on April 19th, 2007 at 11:44 am

Love toasted cheese sandwiches! We usually just put mayo on two slices of bread, put a couple of slices of cheese between and put on a cookie sheet and place in the oven. YUM
Your book sounds very interesting.
Thanks for stopping by my T13.

Jane on April 19th, 2007 at 1:53 pm

What else is there to ponder in that situation, eh?? Now if he was a real dragon, he could just breathe on it…. Now I want a grilled cheese sandwich, LOL.

Lisa – Lil Duck Duck

Mama Duck on April 19th, 2007 at 2:32 pm

Interesting…very interesting. Anything with cheese is a good thing!

Lori on April 19th, 2007 at 3:54 pm

Thanks for clearing up the enigma that is a toasted cheese sandwich for me. Well, it has been until today. I have always wondered how exactly one is made. ;o)
My personal method was always to toast the bread, spread some peanut butter on both pieces and just put a bit of cheese in between. But it seems I have done it all wrong all my life… ah, well, whatever.
Great list anyway. ;o)

samulli on April 19th, 2007 at 4:02 pm

Those are great! You’re a fabulous writer. I personally am not a fan of toasted cheese/grilled cheese sandwiches, and my family practically disowns me every time I remind them of that!

My dad and sister, in particular, could have hours-long conversations about the perfect cheese sandwich!

- Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls

pinks & blues girls on April 19th, 2007 at 5:40 pm

I had a friend that made toasted cheese sandwiches by putting the sandwich together and then using his iron to toast it.

I like mine grilled in a skillet on the stovetop.

kristin on April 19th, 2007 at 5:51 pm

Thanks for all the alternatives. I’ve learnt a lot today about how many more variations on toasted cheese sandwiches there are from everyone. I suspect Little Dragon’s rant will be growing a bit.

Keep em coming….

Mark on April 19th, 2007 at 7:12 pm

Interesting. I did not realize there was that much to a toasted cheese sandwich. I lead a sheltered life.

Thanks for visiting my TT.

Gail Martin on April 19th, 2007 at 8:40 pm

Hmm…I’m so the lazy one. Toast two slices of bread in the toaster and then stick a slice of Velveeta in between. Maybe stick it in the microwave for about 10 seconds so as not to mess with the crustiness of the bread, but to melt the cheese.

However, my husband goes all out with butter (the more the better!) in the frying pan. I like his way much better!

Guess I’ll have to go make me one now…

Lulu on April 19th, 2007 at 8:42 pm

Like thomma lyn, I do the buttered bread and skillet or frying pan method of toasting cheese – or grilling cheese, really.

Though in a pinch, I’ll make two slices of bread in the toaster, put cheese between them, and stick the whole thing in the microwave – you MUST toast the bread first or it gets gross and rubbery.

Also, I vote for triangles.

MissMeliss on April 19th, 2007 at 9:39 pm

I like good old fashioned cheddar on my cheese sandwiches. I’ve never claimed to be a foodie of any kind.

Crystal Jordan on April 19th, 2007 at 9:40 pm

I love cheese! I love bread! Good TT13!
http://anyapples.blogspot.com/

FRIGGA on April 19th, 2007 at 9:44 pm

I’m suddenly craving a grilled cheese sandwich!!!!

YellowRose on April 19th, 2007 at 10:03 pm

I *heart* cheese.

Cora Zane on April 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm

LOL, that’s a lot of thought into a cheese sandwich

Michelle Pillow on April 20th, 2007 at 12:19 am

Wow… I think I’ll have some chesse and crackers.

Thanks for the Read Mitch

http://aflyoverblog.typepad.com/finding_your_path/

Mitch on April 20th, 2007 at 1:51 am

I love cheese sandwiches. Basically, I simply love cheese.

I love the premise of your story and can totally see the character going off on a rant about cheese sandwiches. Too funny.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

gabriella hewitt on April 20th, 2007 at 2:08 am

Cheese rocks, nice list

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