Grilled cheese is one of my "go-to" favorites when I want to mangez some good ol' comfort food. And what better way to get one (other than making your own; see recipe below) than from a local food truck?
Food trucks are on the rise in all major cities. Here in the Bay Area, San Francisco specifically, there are over 100 specialty food trucks offering just about every type of cuisine. You can find out where they’re parked around town by visiting roaminghunger.com or following each trucks' Facebook page and tweets.
In Boston, they have this amazing cupcake truck where the cupcakes have fillings like cookie dough and frosting. Sweet! In New York City, everyone's favorite truck is Korilla BBQ, which whips up Korean recipes including tacos, burritos and such. But currently, these east coast trucks are not around much due to the inclement weather. The best time to find a food truck on the east coast is during the warm weather months. But on the west coast, the trucks are abundant. I recommend trying Foster Brother's Ice Cream Truck, a true traditional ice cream truck. Yum!
And did you know that food trucks cater private parties? They really put a little wow into your now! Plus, they’re fun and fashionable! I’d be happy to help coordinate the perfect truck for your next event. Just ask! :)
And without further ado, here's my Mean Grilled Cheese recipe (sans truck). Thanks to all the chefs that gave me great pointers!
Ingredients:
- 2 pieces of your favorite bread (I use Sourdough)
- 3 slices of sharp cheddar cheese (any Vermont cheddar works)
- 1/4 cup of grated Monterey Jack cheese
- olive oil
- butter
- garlic salt
- crushed red pepper
- smoked turkey or ham (optional yumminess)
- arugula (optional)
Directions:
Heat olive oil and melt butter in a nonstick pan. Place buttered pieces of bread face down in the pan. If you'd like to add additional protein to this grilled sensation, warm the turkey or ham in the pan at this time. Then, place the slices of cheese on one slice of bread and top with the grated cheese. Add your turkey and ham to the piece of bread now, too. Place the other piece of bread on top of all the cheese and meat and add the arugula for an added extra boost!
Press down on the sandwich with a spatula or the back of a wooden spoon and flip the sandwich from back to front for desired goldenness and goodness! Immediately after grilling, place the grilled cheese sandwich on a cutting board and sprinkle garlic salt and crushed red pepper on both sides of the bread. Cut into four triangles and chow down!
Bon appétit!
