The combination of bread and melted cheese has been enjoyed since Ancient Roman times. Modern grilled cheese sandwiches began in the 1920s, and they were called “Toasted Cheese Sandwiches”. These were popularized by James L. Kraft, when he invented a method to pasteurize cheese so that it would keep longer, as refrigerators were not common at that time. This new processed cheese was able to be shipped across the country without spoilage.
When the Depression hit, families found processed cheese to be a cheap and filling meal. School cafeterias purchased cans of tomato soup to go with toasted cheese sandwiches to satisfy the Vitamin C and protein requirements for school lunches, leading to the classic childhood combination.
How to celebrate this day:
- Enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich!
- If old enough, teach your child how to make grilled cheese sandwiches (make sure to supervise when using the stove/oven)
- Search for the best grilled cheese sandwich in your area
- Go gourmet – try different cheeses, ham, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms!
Books
A wonderful morning of playing in the snow turns into a sticky situation when mom leaves for the afternoon and dad is in charge of the kids and making lunch. What is he making this time? And how horrible will it be to choke down? How do the kids get out of eating his awful burned grilled cheese sandwiches? And when dad discovers he’s been tricked, how does he punish the kids? First time author Allison Scanlon writes a delightfully funny story that children, parents, and grandparents alike will thoroughly enjoy. There is a building excitement throughout this comical account where children sometimes know better and they never cease to let us forget. Best suited for ages 6-10.
