Grilled cheese gets a twist

As far as food observances go, April’s National Grilled Cheese Month is one that doesn’t necessitate a lot of fanfare to get behind celebrating.

One of the most basic comfort foods, the oozy, gooey staple the grilled cheese sandwich has steadily gained followers in the 1920s after James Kraft patented processed cheese and sliced bread became the rage.

Trish Miles, owner of C’est Cheese gourmet grilled cheese food truck, which operates out of the Dayton area has been busy perfecting different takes on this cheesy concoction since she began her business in August 2012.

“The possibilities are endless, much like a pizza,” Miles said. “For some people, they are amazed to see what can be done with a grilled cheese, and others are very happy to have the classic; a memory of their childhood. I love to see people read the menu and see what the choices are. They are given a whole new perspective on what can be created from a very basic sandwich.”

Some of Miles’ favorite combinations on her menu include:

The Bella ($5): Roasted red pepper, baby Bella mushrooms, mozzarella, provolone with basil pesto on sourdough.

Says Miles: “It has a mellow taste, but at the same time the garlic in the pesto brings all the ingredients together for the perfect fresh vegetable sandwich.”

The Buffalo Chicken ($4.50): Includes marinated chicken in a buffalo sauce, mozzarella, feta, blue cheese dressing and a dash of franks hot sauce.

Says Miles: “This has a warm and tangy taste to it and can be as hot as you want, depending on how many shakes you give the franks bottle.”

The Caprice ($4.50): Mozzarella, provolone cheese with basil pesto and sun dried tomato pesto.

Says Miles: “(It has) a surprise of tanginess in the after taste. Subtle but yummy.”

“I’m not sure why the grilled cheese has made a resurgence lately,” Miles said. “I do know it’s something that anyone from (age) 2 to 92 can enjoy. I’d say we are entering a grilled cheese renaissance, but I don’t want to jinx it.”

C’est Cheese info

For more information about the C’est Cheese gourmet grilled cheese food truck: call (937) 344-4771 or email trishmiles@att.net. The website is online at cestcheese.info. On Twitter @cest_cheese.

How to find it: Owner, operator Trish Miles says, “The best thing to do is call soon if you’d like to reserve a date and/or to follow me on twitter to see where I am for each day.”

Upcoming events: May 10: Urban nights, downtown Dayton; July 4: Beavercreek holiday at home

Grilled cheese ideas

Here are a few additional twists on grilled cheese that you can try at home, from the food blog Chow.com:

1. Apple and Aged Cheddar Grilled Cheese

2. Asian Pear and Gouda Grilled Cheese

3. Grape and Taleggio Grilled Cheese

4. Roasted Beet and Chèvre Grilled Cheese

5. Sun-Dried Tomato, Parsley, and Manchego Grilled Cheese

6. Sweet Hot Mustard and Jarlsberg Grilled Cheese

7. Mozzarella, Prosciutto, and Fig Jam Panino

8. Black Forest Ham, Caramelized Onions, and Cambozola Grilled Cheese

9. Sautéed Jalapeño and Aged Jack Grilled Cheese