Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Prepare bread

Spread butter evenly on one side of each slice of whole grain bread. The buttered sides will be the exterior that contacts the skillet.

Assemble

Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in a clean skillet or nonstick pan set to low-medium heat. Layer 2 slices of American cheese on top of the bread. Top with the second slice of bread, buttered side up.

Grill

Cook the sandwich over low-medium heat for 2–3 minutes until the bottom is golden-brown. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook another 2–3 minutes until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted. If the bread browns before the cheese melts, lower the heat and cover the pan for 30–60 seconds to trap heat and finish melting.

Rest & slice

Remove the sandwich to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute, then cut diagonally into two triangles for easy handling by children.

Cook fries according to the package directions for oven bake or shallow frying. For oven: preheat oven to 220°C (425°F), toss frozen fries with 1 tablespoon oil on a baking sheet in a single layer, bake 12–20 minutes until golden and crisp, flipping once halfway. For shallow fry: heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook fries in batches until golden and crisp, 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt while hot.

Wash vegetables. Peel and cut carrots and cucumber into sticks roughly 7–8 cm long and finger-sized for a child. Halve cherry tomatoes. Arrange carrot sticks, cucumber sticks and halved tomatoes on a small plate and serve with 2 tablespoons of ranch or yogurt dip on the side.