Grilled Cheese Sandwich Variations
by Christine Steendahl

Description: Creative ideas to spice up your kids' grilled cheese sandwiches.
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Grilled cheese sandwiches are the easiest meal to prepare. Little ones can even learn to prepare it themselves. The ones I used to make contained regular cheese and white bread with margarine to grill it. Here are a few ways to make that grilled cheese sandwich more nutrious for your little ones.

First of all you need to reduce the fat in the cheese. Full fat cheeses are a thing of the past. A slice of fat free cheese melts just the same with fewer calories and fat. If American cheese is too boring, try a slice of Swiss or pepperjack cheese. Monterey Jack is tasty on a sandwich, also. One slice of cheese will do, but if you are using the fat free kind, you can most often get by with two slices for a creamier sandwich.

What about the bread? The bread is a key element. White bread contains a lot of that are not healthy for you. Try whole wheat or seven grain bread. Sourdough bread would make a good substitution. What you want is bread with fewer calories and carbohydrates per serving.

What about some meat? When they would add bologna to a grilled cheese sandwich when I was in school, they called it a “flying saucer”. Adding a slice of meat makes the sandwich more of a complete meal. Depending on what their favorite is, you can add roast beef, sliced ham, sliced turkey, bacon, sausage, or sliced chicken breast.

What about some flavor? Add flavor to their grilled cheese sandwich with a few choice condiments. Adding mustard gives the sandwich a tangy taste. For an even better taste add brown or Dijon mustard. Go Mexican with a bit of salsa added to the sandwich. The salsa will make the grilled cheese sandwich zesty. Roast beef goes well with a dollop of barbeque sauce added for more flavor. If your child is into the simpler tastes, add a bit of fat-free or reduced fat mayo or ketchup to the sandwich. Adding some dressing such as Thousand Island is another great alternative for adding variety.

Add some snap to your sandwich. Slice up an apple and place it on top of the cheese. People eat a slice of cheese with apple pie and many cheese trays are served with apples, so why not on a grilled cheese sandwich? Use a Granny Smith apple for best results. They will hold their shape better than a red apple.

Our grilled cheese sandwich is really coming along. We have added meat, changed the cheese, changed the bread, and added sauces for an extra kick. What’s left to do? Maybe we can add some vegetables. Pickles work well on a cheese sandwich with bologna. A juicy slice of tomato would add color and flavor to any meat and cheese combination. Get a slice of green with a leaf of romaine lettuce or some spinach.

Ditch the margarine. I used to spread a thick layer of margarine on both sides of the bread before I put the sandwich on the griddle. Here are a few options to that. Use spray butter or non-stick cooking spray in the pan. Your kids will still have the butter flavor without all the butter calories. Another choice would be to brown the sandwich in the oven. Using a metal tray, spray both sides of the bread with butter spray. Bake the cheese sandwiches in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for about six minutes per side.

Grilled cheese sandwiches are getting a new look. By adding meat, flavoring, and veggies, your sandwiches are now a meal unto themselves. Get your children involved in the cooking. Let them make their own sandwiches.

For more tips on Simple Ways To Get Your Kids To Eat Broccoli, go to http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/article-broccoli.htm

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