If you need a tasty and warm breakfast or a quick light dinner, these Grilled Cheese Sandwiches can save you a lot of time! Delicious toasted bread with melted cheese on top: the perfect comfort food. In this post I will present you two ways of Bulgarian-style grilled cheese sandwiches.
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What kind of recipe is this
These sandwiches are a very popular Bulgarian breakfast. It is hard to say who invented them but most probably they are from the 20th century. This was the time when in Bulgaria the so called "party grill" became popular. These were small portable electric grills made primary of aluminium which almost every family had at these times. Unlike the regular grills, they were heating the food only on top - perfect for sandwiches like the current ones.
The grilled cheese sandwiches are also called "cheese princesses" due to their similarity with the Princess Meat Sandwiches.
What ingredients you need
First you need bread slices, no matter what type of bread.
You would also need cheese. The typical Bulgarian white cheese sirene is salty and crumbly like feta. It goes very well with eggs. The resulting mixture is spread on top of the bread slices and then baked, creating a nice distinguishing flavour and taste.
The other option is to use grated kashkaval: a local yellow cheese, which can be substituted by cheddar, emmental, gouda or other similar kinds. In this case eggs would not be required, however you still can use them.
Lastly you may want to spread some butter on the bread, under the cheese mixture. In my opinion butter is totally optional but some people consider it crucial.
Optionally you may want to add spices: in the cheese or to sprinkle on top, after baking the sandwiches. I like to add some Sharena Sol but they are perfectly nice just plain.
How to grill the sandwiches
You don't need a party grill in order to make these sandwiches. I bake them in the oven, with the heat turned only on top. If you turn the bottom heat too, the sandwiches might become too crispy, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Line a large baking tin with a sheet of paper and arrange the bread slices with the cheese spread on top. Bake until golden brown.
You will find the complete list of ingredients and instructions below the post, in the recipe card.
Variations
There are a number of variations you can make, in order to diversify these sandwiches. Below are just few of the possible options:
- Make a combined cheese sandwich with both kind of cheese + egg
- Add a tablespoon of plain yogurt to the white cheese and egg mixture
- Add some parsley to the cheese and egg mixture
- Combine the grated yellow cheese with chopped ham
These are very easy sandwiches that everyone can make at home and feel cozy. I hope this post will give you some tasty inspiration and save you cooking time.
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Bulgarian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
Sandwich 1
- 4 bread slices
- 1 ½ cup / 150 g grated yellow cheese see notes
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 egg optional
- spices by choice optional
Sandwich 2
- 4 bread slices
- ¾ cup/ 150 g cup crumbled white cheese see notes
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon butter
- spices by choice optional
Instructions
- Line a large baking tin with a sheet of parchment paper.
Sandwich 1:
- Spread the butter on top of the bread slices. Cover generously with grated cheese.
- Optionally mix together the lightly beaten egg with the grated cheese before spreading the mixture on top of the bread.
Sandwich 2:
- In a bowl mix very well the crumbled cheese and the egg.
- Spread the butter on the bread slices. Spread on top the cheese mixture, dividing it evenly between the slices.
- Bake the sandwiches for about 15-20 minutes in the oven, with only the top heat on. They are ready when the cheese becomes golden-brown.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- The traditional Bulgarian yellow cheese is called kashkaval. It can be substituted by cheddar, gouda or other similar kinds.
- The Bulgarian white cheese sirene is similar to feta but made of cow milk. You can substitute it with feta, ricotta or cottage cheese.
- Don't add too many or too strong spices to these sandwiches. Black pepper or savory are simple and good options. You can also sprinkle Homemade Sharena Sol.
About the author
Food Blogger, Photographer and Cookbook Author. Founder of the sites Dani's Cookings and Taco & Tiramisu.
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