Welcome to the most recent version of Come On Over, Food52 editorial director Julie Vadnal’s publication that is all about internet hosting gatherings massive and small—with out dropping your cool. Received firm? Enroll right here for her emails.
One Thanksgiving weekend a couple of years in the past, my ever-so-slightly aggressive household bought snowed in—and naturally we wanted to eat. With bread and cheese aplenty, we started a extremely aggressive grilled cheese contest. Every of us grabbed add-ons from the pantry and fridge, then bought griddling. I can’t keep in mind who got here out on high—principally as a result of it wasn’t me—however truthfully, everybody’s a winner if you get to pattern a number of grilled cheeses. Better of all? It’s an important get together theme for an all-ages grasp.
1. Soup’s On
Inform your folks that you just’ll present the tomato soup and bread, however they’re in command of their cheese and different fixings. Miraculously, you’ll solely want one pot to drag this off: This Staub Cocotte that comes with a grill pan within the lid. Superb, proper?
2. Suppose Large
Photograph by James Ransom
I’m going to be trustworthy: You’re not going to win this get together with a couple of slices of American cheese and white bread. As an alternative, go massive with elements akin to smoked gruyère, caramelized onions, Kewpie mayo, bacon, spinach, or like Ruth Reichl, a clove of garlic, plus shallots, leeks, and onions.
3. Set the Desk
No must assemble an elaborate tablescape. As an alternative, stack your bowls close to the cocotte and let visitors serve themselves when it’s time to get to dunking. Maintain spoons close by, however know that it is a little bit of an off-the-cuff affair, and if a slice of tacky bread acts as silverware, so be it.
4. Spice Issues Up
Don’t let the sandwiches have all of the enjoyable. This spicy tomato soup comes collectively in a snap, will get its warmth from purple pepper flakes, and solely takes a half hour to place collectively.
5. Play Extra
As soon as the cooking competitors dies down, you’ll want a approach to deliver it again. I say that is the time to settle right into a board recreation that’ll get the group going once more.
6. Sweeten Up
Photograph by Rocky Luten
This isn’t the time to go for a heavy dessert, and but—chocolate can be a very good complement to all that cheese. Break up a fancy small-batch bar, and move it round on a fairly plate.
Which grilled cheese combo would take residence the win at your gathering?
