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Grilled Cheese: The Classic Retro Food
I grew up in the 70s.
Yes, I wore bell bottoms. Yes, I listened to the Bee Gees. Yes, I had a bowl haircut.
I was cool. 😉
Several things come to mind when I think of the food of my childhood. Here are just a few: Spam, Deviled Ham, Deviled Eggs, Vienna Sausages, Pimento Cheese Sandwiches on white bread, Charlie’s Chips, Orange Julius… and, of course, the capo di tutti capi of all 70s foods for me: the grilled cheese sandwich. White bread, butter, and American cheese. Wow.
The Grilled Cheese Sandwich: quick, easy, buttery, warm, filling. And coupled with a hot bowl of Campbell’s Tomato Soup sprinkled with black pepper… Oh my goodness! I loved that!
Just thinking about it, I’m in 70s heaven! Wait! Is that the Bee Gees I hear? 😉
Grown-Up Grilled Cheese
I have to be honest. I’m not much for American cheese anymore. As a matter of fact, I’m really not much into processed foods anymore. Unfortunately, it seems like most of the foods I ate growing were processed. Must have been a trend in the 70s.
For this week’s #SundaySupper, I decided to go retro, but in a more natural (and less processed) way.
For the grilled cheese sandwich, I am using artisan bread, mozzarella, and a spinach pesto. The tomato soup is made will all natural ingredients. I am “cheating” a little bit, though. I am using Pomi chopped tomatoes, instead of crushing the tomatoes myself. But, Pomi tomatoes are all natural, so I’m cool with that.
Check out these hip recipes and get into the retro groove!
For the Spinach Pesto
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach (packed)
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons pecans (toasted)
- 4 oz feta cheeese
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Combine everything in a food processor and blend.
For the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon butter (we prefer KerryGold!)
- 2 slices bread (we used an artisan Italian loaf)
- 1/2 cup fresh Mozzerella, grated
- 3 tablespoons of the spinach pesto
DIRECTIONS
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Butter the outside of each slice of bread, sprinkle half of the cheeses on the inside of one slice of bread, top with the spinach pesto, the remaining cheese and finally the other slice of bread… You’re trying to keep the pesto “sandwiched” in the middle.
- Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook until golden brown and the cheese has melted… about 3 minutes on each side.
And We Can’t Forget the Tomato Soup…
What’s a grilled cheese sandwich without tomato soup?
Exactly.
So I made this tomato soup to go with the grilled cheese:
INGREDIENTS
- 2 boxes (26 oz each) of Pomi chopped tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, grated
- 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (we prefer Kerrygold!)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup of Half & Half (or 1/2 cup of heavy cream)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
DIRECTIONS
- Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion, carrots, and garlic. Saute until softened (about 10 minutes).
- Add the tomatoes, the chicken stock, bay leaves and butter.
- Simmer until the veggies are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves, and add the basil and the cream or Half & Half.
- Puree with a handheld immersion blender until smooth.
It’s a #Retro Food Party for #SundaySupper This Week!
Here’s what Isabel at FamilyFoodie.com has to say about this Retro food party:
Does Sunday Supper bring you back to your childhood? Does it bring back memories of a favorite dish? Time Around the Family Table has a way of creating the most memorable moments. It is amazing how we can smell or just think of a favorite food and immediately be transported back to the moment we enjoyed it.
This Week’s Sunday Supper is all about “Retro Recipes.” Those food memories that immediately take us back in time. Some of us enjoyed them so much that we will never change the mom or grandma’s recipe. Other’s were ready to reinvent and update their favorite Retro Recipe.
Join us Around the Family Table this Sunday at 7pm Eastern Time and share your favorite Retro Food Memory with us!
Sunday Supper Retro Appetizers:
- Irish Cheddar-Whiskey Fondue by girlichef
- She Devils: Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs by Ruffles & Truffles
Sunday Supper Retro Salads:
- Coca-Cola Salad by Magnolia Days
- Salmon Salad | Retro Tuna Salad by Family Foodie
- Ambrosia Salad by Simply Gourmet
- Romaine “Wedge” Salad with Hot Maple Bacon Dressing by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Carrot & Raisin Salad by The Roxx Box
- Sweet & Smoky Broccoli Salad by In The Kitchen with KP
Sunday Supper Retro Breads and Sandwiches:
- Italian Style Bread by The Meltaways
- Creamed Chipped Salmon Jerky on Toast by Pescetarian Journal
- Grown-Up Tuna Melts by Home Cooking Memories
- English Muffin Pizzas by Comfy Cuisine
- Patty Melt, Hand Cut Fries, & a Shake by Mooshu Jenne
- Grown-Up Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup by Catholic Foodie
- Toast Topper #16: Grandma’s Mock Apricot Jam by What Smells So Good?
SundaySupper Main Dishes:
- Chicken Pot Pie Topped With Bacon Cheddar Biscuits by Chocolate Moosey
- Tuna Noodle Casserole by Country Girl in the Village
- Nana’s Marinated Beef Roast by Supper for a Steal
- Chorizo Scotch Eggs by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Chicken Maryland by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Mushroom Stroganoff by Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Dairyfree Toast Hawaii by Galactosemia in PDX
- Porcupine Meatballs by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Chicken Kiev by The Urban Mrs.
- Salmon Quiche with Preserved Lemon by Shockingly Delicious
- Steak Diane by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Fried Chicken only in the Oven by In the Kitchen with Audrey
- Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steak by Kimchi Mom
- Retro-Redo: Homemade TV Dinner by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Kicked Up Meatloaf by Curious Cuisiniere
- Shrimp Scampi (a lighter version) by Kudos Kitchen
- Old-Fashioned Pork Chops by My Trials in the Kitchen
- Jägerschnitzel by Sustainable Dad
- Healthier Hamburger-Corn Noodle Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
- Inspired by Tuna Noodle Casserole by Cookistry
- Chicken-N-Biscuits Pot Pie Casserole by The Messy Baker Blog
- Souper Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes by Mama.Mommy.Mom
- Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truth by Midlife Roadtrip
- Spaghetti with Currywurst Sauce by Masala Herb
- Tator Tot Casserole by NeighborFood
Sunday Supper Retro Sides and Veggies:
- Smokey Braised Red Cabbage by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Classic Corn Casserole by The Foodie Army Wife
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Classic Green Bean Casserole Redux by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Mem’s Broccoli Casserole by Momma’s Meals
Sunday Supper Retro Desserts and Cocktails:
- Peachy Keen Tutti-Frutti Jello by La Cocina de Leslie
- Old School Boozy Rum Cake by Webicurean
- Individual Baked Alaskas by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Rainbow Jello by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Noshing with the Nolands
- Pineapple Bars by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Creamy Dairy Free Fresh Orange Julius With Coconut Milk by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecake by There and Back Again
- Frozen Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by Juanita’s Cocina
- Boston Cream Pie by Gotta Get Baked
- Coca-Cola Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
- Jello Poke Cake by Flour On My Face
- Devil’s Food Cake by Maroc Mama
- Bread Pudding with Pecans by Basic and Delicious
- Victoria Sponge Cake by The Lovely Pantry
- A Chocolate Twist on the Classic Japanese Strawberry Shortcake by Ninja Baking
- Post War Apple Pudding by My Cute Bride
- Layered Mini Chocolate Banana Cakes by Big Bears Wife
- Raspberry Jam Cakes by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
- Cocktail: Moscow Mule by Crazy by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.
#Retro food: What’s YOUR fav?
Tell me in the comments below!
That grilled cheese is calling my name!
We must have been raised in the same generation–other than my hair was feathered (like Farah Fawcet’s). I love the use of better cheese and artisan bread…lip smacking good friend!
Thanks! And I don’t even have hair anymore. 😉 LOL!
Grilled cheese and tomato soup is my ultimate comfort food and has been since childhood. Even as a grown up, I would still rather have this than any other food on a cold, dreary night. I love that you added mint and feta to your pesto! Definitely going to have to try that next time!
The addition of mint makes this so good! And the feta too, of course. OPA!
Love this combo!! Love the pesto sauce addition. I’ve always wanted to make my own tomato soup and haven’t yet, thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome! Bon appetit!
I just made this a couple of weeks ago–boy did that take me back. I love Pomi tomatoes–I didn’t have any on hand, so I used a can of San Marzano, and the soup seemed too acidic. Think I’ll pick up some Pomi and give your version a whirl!
LOVE San Marzano! The only problem is the packaging… Cans just aren’t the best. They can (no pun intended!) taint the flavor of what’s inside. The paper-based boxes that Pomi uses keep the tomatoes fresh without the fear of tainting or leeching.
Did we grow up together? LOL We ate grilled cheese and tomato soups all the time. Now I like to as a little fresh or dried rosemary to the butter before I put it on the bread and cook it.
I love your updated and more healthy version!
Fresh rosemary… YUM! This would be a crazy-good addition!
This takes me back to Saturday afternoons in my mom’s kitchen. Grilled Cheese & tomato soup – and don’t forget the oyster crackers! Thanks again for all your help!!
Oh snap! The crackers! I forgot the crackers! Oh well, there’s always next time, right?
What a great recipe for the retro theme! My husband will not even come close to American cheese, so he would appreciate this!
Yeah, nothing like processed cheese, right? So what kind of cheese would y’all use? I would love to know! Thanks!
That spinach pesto sounds to die for! I have such fun making twists on traditional grilled cheese. Your version looks great.
Yeah, my wife commented that we need to make that spinach pesto a house staple… something that we always have on hand. You can use it in so many different ways.
Gorgeous take on the classics! That grilled sandwich is perfect for today´s way of eating.
Classic. Tomato soup is a must with grilled cheese as I can see you are fully aware.
Classic soup and sandwich combination. I also love Pomi tomatoes and sauce and use it often.
70’s or 80’s I think we all had the white bread/american cheese combo! Love the addition of feta in this!
lol – to prove that trends are always making comebacks, I’m a child of the 80s and I also wore bell bottoms (during high school), had a bowl cut most of my life (so tragic), and I still listen to the Beegees to this day. I am in love with your grilled cheese sammich – it looks so gloriously golden, crunchy, and cheesy. I could eat one everyday if I could!
Funny – I don’t eat as much processed stuff as I did when I was kid, yet waxy American cheese is the only cheese I’ll eat on my grilled cheese. Especially when you add bacon and jalapeno slices! I do like your grown up version with the spinach pesto and of course homemade tomato soup!
Oh yes, tomato soup & grilled cheese sandwich. Your grown up version sounds fantastic. By the way, I also hear Bee Gees in my house 😉
What a fun post! I am also from the 70’s! The grilled cheese sandwich looks great and is perfectly match with the tomatoes soup….yummy!
I’m a bit late getting around to all of last week’s recipes, but this sounds wonderful. I do love a “fancy pants” grilled cheese, as I like to call them.
Your tomato soup sounds 100 times better than that can of Campbell’s!
Being second of seven kids we never had grilled cheese sandwiches — we had toasted cheese sandwiches (ended up using a whole loaf of bread). In oven place top rack up near the broiler element; fill rack with bread, toasting on one side, remove when browned. Butter (the toasted side) of half the slices, cover the other half of the slices with grated cheese. Place buttered slices on top of the cheesed slices of bread. Put back into the oven toasting the untoasted (outsides) of the bread. Just as good without greasy fingers and you can make many at a time — a must for a large family.
Great suggestion, John! As a matter of fact, a variation on that is one of my kids’ favorite snack / light lunch: open-faced cheese toast… melted in the oven. Thanks for the idea!
You had me at tomato soup. Your version of this meal looks amazing. I love the pesto on the grilled cheese.
My mouth is watering…this looks absolutely delicious and I like your presentations. I agree it looks so elegant.
All cheese is processed or it would just be milk! I get tired of snobs ‘putting down’ basic dishes as a child. We had eggs or cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and occasionally chicken or roast for dinner with potatoes and carrots. Grilled cheese was just bread and cheese in butter. The problem with people nowadays is they put their nose up and say oh that’s ‘processed’ but unless you are pulling a carrot out of the ground and eating it dirt and all its been processed.. washed with the greens removed! I just don’t think the Good Lord is going to ask me if I ate processed food or not! Anyone reading ingredients at vegan cheese or that gross Tuno is going to see more ingredients not less! So much for processed…