Gordon Ramsay is known for his amazing culinary skills and for being a star chef on many popular cooking shows like Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef, and Kitchen Nightmares. He has a reputation for creating mouthwatering dishes that look beautiful and taste divine. One of Ramsay’s favorite comfort foods to make is a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. His grilled cheeses are far from ordinary and basic. He uses premium ingredients to create an elevated version of the classic. So what exactly does Gordon Ramsay put in his grilled cheese sandwiches to make them so special and delicious? Let’s take a look at the magical ingredients and techniques he uses to create the ultimate grilled cheese.
High-Quality Bread
The foundation of a great grilled cheese sandwich starts with the bread. Ramsay doesn’t use just any old bread for his grilled cheese. He chooses a artisanal bakery-style bread like sourdough, brioche, or challah. The high-quality bread helps the grilled cheese hold up to the melting cheese and other toppings without getting soggy. The rich flavors and textures of artisan breads also complement the fillings and take the sandwich to the next level. Ramsay likely toasts the bread in butter or olive oil to achieve a crispy golden exterior while keeping the inside soft.
Premium Cheeses
Of course, the cheese choices are essential for a gourmet grilled cheese. Ramsay doesn’t limit himself to basic cheese slices. He uses premium and imported cheeses to build complex flavors. Some of his go-to choices are aged cheddar, Gruyère, Brie, Gouda, and fontina. He might use a combination of hard and soft cheeses to achieve the right texture and meltability. The refined cheeses ensure a decadent, gooey middle with each bite. Ramsay likely uses generous slices or shredded amounts to highlight the cheese.
Creative Mix-Ins
In addition to fancy cheeses, Ramsay incorporates creative mix-ins to amp up his grilled cheese. He doesn’t settle for a plain cheese-only sandwich. Some tasty add-ins he might use include caramelized onions, mushrooms, truffle oil, prosciutto ham, fig jam, avocado, roasted peppers, pesto, bacon, tomato, and fresh herbs. These extras provide layers of flavors and textures that complement the cheese. The mix-ins are carefully selected so that they enhance the sandwich without overcomplicating it.
Secret Seasonings
TOP SECRET SEASONINGS! What exactly does Ramsay add to the bread and cheeses to give them an extra punch of flavor? He surely uses high-quality sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to season. Beyond that, some possibilities are dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme. Spices like paprika or red pepper flakes could also make an appearance. A splash of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce in the cheese mix provides savory umami. Garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne are other options for amping up the flavors. A sprinkle of these secret seasonings gives the grilled cheese an elevated taste.
Cooking Techniques
Mastering the cooking techniques is critical for Gordon Ramsay’s gourmet grilled cheese. He likely butters the bread and toasts it in a cast iron skillet to achieve the perfect crispy golden crust. For even browning and thorough melting of the cheese, he uses a press to flatten the sandwich as it cooks. A bacon press or even another heavy skillet placed on top does the trick. He cooks the grilled cheese over medium low heat to prevent burning. Flipping halfway through ensures both sides get evenly crispy. These techniques yield a sandwich with a melt-in-your mouth interior and irresistible crunch on the outside.
Melt-Proof Fillings
Some fillings need a little help staying put when subjected to hot melty cheese in a grilled cheese. Ramsay has techniques to keep those delicious mix-ins from oozing out. For items like fig jam, pesto, or chopped tomatoes, he likely spreads them on the bread before adding the cheese. This helps the cheese seal them into the sandwich. For sturdier fillings like ham, onions, or peppers, he creates pockets in the cheese to nestle the ingredients so they don’t slide around. With these assembly methods, every bite is packed with flavors and textures.
Creamy Additions
To take his grilled cheeses over the top, Ramsay sometimes incorporates creamy ingredients. A smear of mayonnaise on the bread adds moisture and tang. A layer of smooth avocado or cheesy fondue echos the cheese flavors. Even a schmear of Plain cream cheese ups the creamy factor. These touches moisten the sandwich and provide cool contrast to the hot melted cheese. The interplay between the cool creamy additions and sharp cheese makes a phenomenal grilled cheese.
Fancy Accompaniments
Gordon Ramsay doesn’t just pay attention to what goes inside the grilled cheese, but also what’s served alongside. Elevated accompaniments like tomato basil bisque, fresh fruit, or mixed greens balance the richness of the sandwich. Truffle fries or homemade potato chips make indulgent pairings. A glass of bold red wine is an ideal match for a gourmet grilled cheese cooked by a chef like Ramsay. The complete experience combines to create an exquisite take on a humble sandwich.
Gourmet Grilled Cheese Examples
To summarize Gordon Ramsay’s high-end approach to grilled cheese, here are some delicious recipe examples:
Truffle Mushroom Grilled Cheese
– Sourdough or brioche bread
– Butter for spreading on the bread
– Gruyère cheese
– Mozzarella cheese
– Sliced mushrooms
– Minced shallots
– Fresh thyme
– Truffle oil
– Truffle salt
Prosciutto-Pear Grilled Cheese
– Challah bread
– Gouda cheese
– Thinly sliced prosciutto
– Thinly sliced pear
– Fig jam
– Arugula
Pesto Chicken Grilled Cheese
– Focaccia bread
– Fresh mozzarella cheese
– Sliced tomato
– Basil pesto
– Roasted red peppers
– Grilled chicken
– Balsamic glaze
Conclusion
Gordon Ramsay’s gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches are truly special. With quality ingredients like artisan breads, fancy imported cheeses, and creative mix-ins, he transforms the humble sandwich into something extraordinary. His skillful techniques like seasoning, pressing, and perfectly crisping the bread yield epic results. The final sandwiches cut open to reveal irresistible melted cheese with complementary flavors and textures in every bite. Any home cook can take inspiration from Chef Ramsay to make their own next-level grilled cheeses. With the right ingredients, some technical finesse, and a dash of imagination, you can create your own melt-in-your-mouth grilled cheese masterpieces.