Mealtime Magic: Variations on Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches are popular with many kids - and parents, since they're so easy. But here are some "grown-up" options for grilled cheese that you can try.

Grilled Egg, Cheese and Bacon Biscuit

You'll need 4 large eggs, lightly beaten, 1 T skim milk, 1/4 t salt, 1/4 t freshly ground black pepper, 6 T butter, 4 sliced biscuits, 4 slices bacon, cooked and halved, 1/4 c shredded Cheddar cheese.

In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. In a skillet, melt 1 T butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture and cook, stirring, until scrambled. Set aside egg mixture and wipe skillet clean. Spread remaining butter equally over tops of biscuits. Place on a work surface, buttered side down. Top 4 halves equally with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese and remaining biscuit half. Place biscuits, buttered side down, on preheated panini grill or in a skillet over medium heat and cook, urning once if using a skillet, for 3-5 minutes per side or until browned and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

To make this lighter, use turkey bacon, 8 egg whites instead of 4 eggs and reduced-fat cheese.

Classic Grilled Two Cheese

You'll need 8 slices white or whole-grain bread, 2 T butter or margarine, softened, 4 oz each Muenster and Cheddar cheese, thinly sliced.

Brush one side of each bread slice with butter. Place on a work surface, buttered side don. Top 4 bread slices equally with Muenster and Cheddar cheeses. Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side up, and press gently. Place sandwiches on preheated panini grill or in a large skillet over medium heat and cook, turning once if using a skillet, for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Chicken, Apple and Smoked Gouda

You'll need 8 slices Italian or multigrain bread, 1/4 c butter or margarine, softened, 1/4 cup homemade or store-bought mayo, 2 c thinly sliced roasted or grilled chicken, 1 c baby spinach leaves, 2 Gala apples, thinly sliced, a 4 oz smoked Gouda cheese, cut into thin slices.

Brush one side of each bread slice with butter. Place on a work surface, buttered side down. Spread 4 bread slices equally with mayonnaise. Top equally with chicken, spinach, apples and cheese. Cover with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up, and press together gently. Place sandwiches on preheated panini grill or in a large skillet over medium heat and cook, turning once if using a skillet, for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

These recipes are just a sampling of what you'll find in 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, a new cookbook that shows the versatility of the idea of grilled cheese. Divided into breakfast, appetizer, light and healthy, meatless, beef, poultry, pork, seafood, and dessert sections, with a section for homemade condiments, the clear recipes provide great inspiration for grown-up grilled cheese.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book to facilitate this review.

Excerpted from 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Alison Lewis © 2012 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.