I'm doing well lately. It it's not volcanoes, rogue waves, sharks or earthquakes, it's sinkholes. Watched an excellent programme on PBS which, I think, we have seen before. Watching all the horror stories about people's homes sinking into the depths and even one incident of a man's brother being lost because his bedroom disappeared into a sink hole. I didn't remember the reasons for sinkholes but now I do and as a lot of them are affected by underground water, I thought the guys (spelunkers I assume) who were swimming around in these underground caves were totally nuts. The ground above them could sink at any time and bye bye swimmers. It would appear one of the worst areas is Florida and many new homes have been built on unsafe ground there. I feel very sorry for people who have retired there only to find their homes are so unsafe. This was an hour programme so I assume this version will take the same amount of time. Do watch though, it is interesting as well as a precautionary tale.
I was feeling quite complacent about living in Canada but much to my horror there are sinkholes in Ontario, and other provinces, too. There are places in Toronto which have become sinkholes. For us Canadians, I suggest you google them so you can find out where these things have occurred and why. You might want to move LOL.
Today, it rained, it was a mizzly, drizzly day altogether. We had already decided not to go with the Travel League to New Hamburg and I am not sorry we made that decision. Went to our local alley and lo and behold, when it doesn't matter a damn, I bowled well although Matt didn't. Typical of me.
It may surprise you to know that in all my years living this side of the pond (Atlantic) I have never made a grilled cheese sandwich and I have only ever eaten it once, at the bowling alley. They have been telling me how to make them as well, but as yet I have never tried. It was not something I ever remember in the UK although probably today everyone makes them. I am sure most, if not all of you know how to make them, but here is a recipe anyway.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
2 slices bread, either soft sandwich squares or large peasant-style slices, not more than 1/2 inch thick
Butter
Mayonnaise
1 to 2 oz grated cheddar (or other cheese), depending on size of bread
1. Heat a heavy pan over medium-low heat.
2. Thinly spread one side of each bread slice with butter. Spread the other side of each slice with mayonnaise and place the bread, mayonnaise-side-down, in the pan. Divide the cheese evenly on top of the buttered slices. Adjust the heat so the bread sizzles gently.
3. When the cheese is about halfway melted, use a spatula to flip one slice over on top of the other, and press lightly to melt. Keep turning the sandwich, pressing gently, until the sandwich is compact, both sides are crusty, and the cheese is melted.
Yield: 1
Source
Source: The New York Times
Author Notes
The trick to great grilled cheese sandwiches isn't in the ingredients, but on the stove. Achieving a golden, crusty outside and oozy inside takes a little patience: if the heat is too high, the outside will scorch before the cheese melts. Cooking the slices separately at first gives the cheese a good head start. There's no need to search out artisanal loaves or local cheese (though they won't hurt), but definitely do not use homemade mayonnaise. Mustard, chutney or even strawberry jam (believe it) can be dabbed on the cheese as it melts, or add ham, prosciutto or slices of apple or tomato (drain on paper towels first). You can use any melting cheese, such as American, Muenster or Swiss, but not too much: part of the perfection here is in the proportion of bread to cheese.
Have a great day
I was feeling quite complacent about living in Canada but much to my horror there are sinkholes in Ontario, and other provinces, too. There are places in Toronto which have become sinkholes. For us Canadians, I suggest you google them so you can find out where these things have occurred and why. You might want to move LOL.
Today, it rained, it was a mizzly, drizzly day altogether. We had already decided not to go with the Travel League to New Hamburg and I am not sorry we made that decision. Went to our local alley and lo and behold, when it doesn't matter a damn, I bowled well although Matt didn't. Typical of me.
It may surprise you to know that in all my years living this side of the pond (Atlantic) I have never made a grilled cheese sandwich and I have only ever eaten it once, at the bowling alley. They have been telling me how to make them as well, but as yet I have never tried. It was not something I ever remember in the UK although probably today everyone makes them. I am sure most, if not all of you know how to make them, but here is a recipe anyway.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
2 slices bread, either soft sandwich squares or large peasant-style slices, not more than 1/2 inch thick
Mayonnaise
1 to 2 oz grated cheddar (or other cheese), depending on size of bread
1. Heat a heavy pan over medium-low heat.
2. Thinly spread one side of each bread slice with butter. Spread the other side of each slice with mayonnaise and place the bread, mayonnaise-side-down, in the pan. Divide the cheese evenly on top of the buttered slices. Adjust the heat so the bread sizzles gently.
3. When the cheese is about halfway melted, use a spatula to flip one slice over on top of the other, and press lightly to melt. Keep turning the sandwich, pressing gently, until the sandwich is compact, both sides are crusty, and the cheese is melted.
Yield: 1
Source
Source: The New York Times
Author Notes
The trick to great grilled cheese sandwiches isn't in the ingredients, but on the stove. Achieving a golden, crusty outside and oozy inside takes a little patience: if the heat is too high, the outside will scorch before the cheese melts. Cooking the slices separately at first gives the cheese a good head start. There's no need to search out artisanal loaves or local cheese (though they won't hurt), but definitely do not use homemade mayonnaise. Mustard, chutney or even strawberry jam (believe it) can be dabbed on the cheese as it melts, or add ham, prosciutto or slices of apple or tomato (drain on paper towels first). You can use any melting cheese, such as American, Muenster or Swiss, but not too much: part of the perfection here is in the proportion of bread to cheese.
Have a great day
Grilled cheese is one of those meals that are easy to do but boy, if you have goooood bread and goooood cheese, it can make all the difference.
ReplyDeletePS: Not that I can eat cow cheese anymore.
DeletePPS: I cannot believe that I beat Alex here.
Like I say, never made one and only eaten it once Ivy.
DeleteI watched this with my hubby and I also think these cave swimmers are nuts. They give us a great information on this but I could never do this. It was such a shame to see the European town be in such a disarray. I also remember the poor man who died in the sink hole. My hubby wonders if there would be something that could be pumped back into the earth but who knows. You surprise me that you have never made a grilled cheese sandwich:)
ReplyDeleteWell they could pump the water back in the first place, but I don't know where they would get the water from any more Birgit. As I just said, only ever eaten one once.
DeleteI remember having so many grilled cheese sandwiches growing up, but not quite eloquently made as this one. Now I'm wondering how common sink holes are in Arizona, specifically Phoenix. Maybe its too dry for them here?
ReplyDeletebetty
I wonder how common they are in the UK these days Betty. They certainly weren't in my young days. If you google you can find out about sinkholes in your area. If you want to know that is, not sure I should have checked for myself LOL
DeleteSomeplace around here I have a cookbook just about grilled cheese sandwiches. The best one I ever had was made with taleggio cheese. Still have to watch the sinkhole program. It scares me because of the marshy area I live in. We've had roadways collapse in this area due to sinkholes.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of taleggio cheese. I really must try making one for myself. It's an interesting programme Denise.
DeleteWow, amazing how many they captured on film. The ones the size of city blocks are terrifying.
ReplyDeleteAren't they just, Alex. I wonder what the prevalence of sinkholes is in NC. The water table is so high, well around Bogue it was anyway. Nobody had basements.
DeleteI love grilled cheese!!!!! Especially with soup. Sinkholes also happen where there was mining. There's a whole town in PA that was abandoned and razed when there was a mine fire that started about 40 years ago and continues to burn, causing the land above to buckle and crack.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember that JoJo. Not really surprising that digging big holes underground would cause it to subside.
DeleteWe have sinkholes that open up in residential areas because houses have been built over the top of old mines. I find the thought of suddenly falling into a deep hole terrifying too!
ReplyDeleteThat would do it too Pinky. It is a terrifying thought isn't it?
DeleteGrilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup have always been a favorite meal with my kids. In fact, forget about the soup. Mayo? Will have to try that.
ReplyDeleteThat sinkhole in Florida was horrific. Who would expect that? We had a sinkhole in our town years ago. Part of a road at the dip of a hill collapse. No one hurt. Reason speculated as being a stream running under the road years ago.
I guess I will have to give it a go Susan.
DeleteFlorida is particularly prone to sink holes apparently. It is scary though.
You do seem to be coming across a lot of natural disaster documentaries. We can't just pretend these things don't happen, I suppose, although there are people living in danger prone areas who must know what their situation is but either can't or won't move away. I do feel very sorry for the retirees in Florida who were badly let down. I saw the same documentary and whoever approved those building developments was certainly not doing their job.
ReplyDeleteDon't I Helen? I do agree with you about the retirees. I wonder if there is anything they can do about it?
DeleteBy the way, I just got Den of Wolves.
I'm sure you'll like 'Den of Wolves'. I've enjoyed this series very much.
DeleteMe too Helen
Delete