Golden Goodness: Grilled Cheese Perfection
- Carolina Apolinario
- Oct 20, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 22
On todays recipe we will keep it simple with a crunchy, cheesy grilled cheese sandwich. There’s something special about the simplicity of a grilled cheese sandwich—it's humble yet comforting, offering the kind of warmth only food made with love can provide. I’m sharing a recipe that combines the heartiness of homemade ciabatta bread with the familiar, melty goodness of mozzarella cheese. The result is a grilled cheese sandwich that’s not only satisfying but also a reflection of love—simple, intentional, and heartwarming.
Whether you’re making this for a loved one or simply treating yourself, this recipe is meant to remind you of the warmth that comes from cooking with care. Let’s start by baking the heart of this recipe: ciabatta bread.
A mini history on Ciabatta
Originating from the Veneto region of Italy, ciabatta was created in the late 1980s as a response to the popularity of French baguettes. Its name, meaning "slipper" in Italian, reflects its unique, rustic shape that has since become beloved around the world (Bricco Salumeria, 2021).
Ciabatta Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
500g bread flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
10g active dry yeast
400ml lukewarm water
2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, olive oil, and 400ml of lukewarm water. Stir gently and let the mixture rest for 15 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy. Carbon dioxide is created and trapped as tiny pockets of air within the dough, which causes the yeast to froth up during fermentation (INSTITUTE OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 2017). After this resting period, add the olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
Incorporate the dry ingredients: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Using a covered bowl, mix until a sticky dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
Rest and fold: Allow the dough to rest, covered, for 30 minutes. After this first rest, stretch and fold the dough by gently pulling the edges and folding them towards the centre. Cover and allow it to rest for another 30 minutes. Repeat the stretch and fold process one more time, followed by an additional 30-minute rest.
Refrigerate: Once the dough has undergone the final stretch and fold, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Proofed ciabatta dough Shape the dough: After the rise, gently transfer the dough to a well-floured surface. Divide it into four equal portions and shape each into a rectangular form, being careful not to deflate the dough. Place the shaped dough on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Shaped Ciabattas Second rise and preheat: Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F). Allow the loaves to rise again for 30–40 minutes, until they puff up slightly.
Bake: Once the loaves have risen, bake them in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped. Transfer the baked loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Freshly baked Ciabatta
With the ciabatta bread freshly baked, we’re now ready to make the star of today’s recipe: the grilled cheese sandwich.
Grilled Cheese Recipe with Ciabatta
Ingredients:
2 slices of fresh ciabatta bread
Salted butter, for spreading
Mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
Frying pan
Flat spatula, for flipping
Instructions:
Prepare the bread: Start by cutting two slices of the ciabatta bread. Spread a generous amount of salted butter on one side of each slice. The salted butter adds a touch of richness and brings out the flavours of the bread while ensuring that perfect, golden crust.
Assemble the sandwich: Place the mozzarella cheese between the slices of bread, with the buttered sides facing out. The mozzarella will melt beautifully, giving the sandwich a delightful, gooey centre.
Cook the sandwich: Heat a frying pan over low heat—this step is key for helping the cheese melt slowly without burning the bread. Place the sandwich in the pan, buttered side down, and let it cook gently. Once you see the cheese beginning to melt, increase the heat slightly to develop a golden, crispy crust on the bread.
Flip with care: Use a flat spatula to gently flip the sandwich, ensuring the bread stays intact as it crisps up on the other side.
Listen for the sound: Here’s where the magic happens. As you scrape the spatula along the bread, listen for that subtle, satisfying ASMR-like sound—it's a sign that your grilled cheese is getting that perfect crust!
Serve and enjoy: Once both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted through, remove the sandwich from the pan. Let it cool for a minute or two before cutting it in half and serving.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled cheese sandwiches are wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some delightful pairings to elevate your experience:
Snack Time: Enjoy your grilled cheese on its own as a quick and satisfying snack any time of day.
Breakfast Delight: Pair it with fresh fruit and a steaming cup of coffee for a comforting morning treat.
Comforting Duo: Serve alongside a warm bowl of tomato soup for a classic, nostalgic combination that never goes out of style.
Feel free to get creative with your pairings, and let the love for grilled cheese shine through!
This grilled cheese sandwich is the epitome of comfort—crisp, buttery ciabatta hugging warm, gooey mozzarella. It’s a simple dish, but in every bite, there’s a reminder of the love we pour into the food we make for those we care about. Whether you’re making this for yourself, a friend, or a loved one, it’s more than just a sandwich—it’s a little piece of happiness served on a plate.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do, and I can’t wait to hear how it turned out for you. Feel free to leave a comment and share your experience. And stay tuned for more heartfelt recipes from Her Love Language—where every dish is made with warmth and care.
From her kitchen, with love ♡
Looks great!!