Welcome to flu season, and the season of warm and easy-to-digest meals to aid the immune system. One of the best is also one of the classics — grilled cheese paired with soup. The combination can sooth a sore throat, settle a stomach and provide some much-needed carbohydrates to a body that can use all the energy it can get. Here are just a few easy grilled-cheese-and-soup duos that might improve a sick day (or just any day).
A Huffington Post survey in August determined that Americans prefer cheddar cheese on their grilled cheese sandwiches over seven other common cheeses used. It’s always good to start with the basics — cheddar cheese on toast with tomato soup. No surprises with this one, and only cheddar cheese, white bread, tomato soup and butter is needed.
That doesn’t mean that it’s not worth it to explore a fancier recipe. Muenster is a cheese that, though more expensive than cheddar, provides its own savory kick to a grilled cheese. Melted Muenster on whole wheat toast is a healthy favorite, especially when paired with a lighter soup like fennel and spinach.
A caramelized onion and mushroom brie grilled cheese sandwich on French bread is one that shouldn’t just be saved for a sick day — this one should be enjoyed all year. Pair it with a simple mushroom soup for that extra mushroom kick that so complements brie cheese.
Extra tomatoes, onions, pickles or marinated artichokes in your fridge make great grilled-cheese stuffers; however, sometimes with heavier soups, it’s better to stick with a lighter sandwich. A simple grilled Swiss sandwich paired with a chunky vegetable soup can take the edge off a cold or flu.
Don’t be afraid to mix up your grilled cheeses! Many people like ham or turkey grilled up with their cheese, and it’s never a bad idea to combine multiple cheeses in one sandwich. No combination is set in stone, and regardless of the kind of sandwich that comes out of your skillet or the type of soup warmed up on your stove, odds are they’ll taste amazing together.