Top 10 Grill Cheese

Crusty on the outside, warm and gooey in the middle, grilled-cheese sandwiches spell comfort, no matter how you slice them. Start with a good melting cheese, and beyond that, the combos are endless.

1. Italian indulgence Spread 2 thick slices of Italian bread with garlic butter. Cover with sliced mozzarella. Top 1 with roasted red peppers, then a scattering of fresh basil leaves. Sandwich together. Butter the outside. Cook in a frying pan or sandwich grill.
2. Garlicky Parisian Spread a slice of crusty French bread with garlic butter. Top with cooked asparagus spears. Crumble roquefort overtop or cover with slices of Camembert. Generously sprinkle with dried tarragon. Broil until melted.
3. Mediterranean pita Spread a pita with pesto. Add a layer of thinly sliced tomatoes. Mix feta with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and black olives, then sprinkle overtop. Broil until it melts a little.
4. Spiced apricot chutney Spread 2 slices of white bread with mango chutney. Lay slices of mozzarella on both. Sprinkle with cumin. Top 1 slice with slivers of dried apricots. Sandwich together and butter the outside. Cook in a frying pan or sandwich grill.
5. Smokin' cheddar Layer 2 slices of white or rye bread with smoked cheddar or smoked Gouda. Cover 1 side with pickles, the other with prosciutto. Sandwich together. Butter the outside. Cook in a frying pan or sandwich grill.
6. Sweet and spicy Cover 2 slices of raisin bread with havarti cheese with jalapeno. Add a few arugula leaves. Sandwich together. Butter the outside. Cook in a frying pan or sandwich grill.
7. German ham and cheese Spread 2 slices of light rye bread with grainy mustard. Cover with a layer of Muenster, Tilsit or Cambozola. Lightly sprinkle 1 side with caraway seeds, then add a slice of Black Forest ham. Sandwich together. Butter the outside and cook in a frying pan or sandwich grill.
8. O Canada Cover 2 slices of bread with nippy cheddar. Top 1 with cooked peameal bacon or thin apple wedges sprinkled with cinnamon. Sandwich together. Butter the outside. Cook in a frying pan or sandwich grill.
9. Hot-pepper chèvre Lightly spread 2 slices of egg bread or baguette with spicy red-pepper jelly. Generously crumble goat cheese over 1 side. Sandwich together. Butter the outside and cook in a frying pan or sandwich grill.
10. Stampede meltdown Stir shredded leftover pork or beef with enough barbecue sauce to moisten. Add a dash of hot sauce, if you like. Pile on a big piece of crusty country bread. Top with a thick slice of Swiss or fontina. Broil until melted.

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