Cheese & Bread? I'm in.

I was reading one of my favorite home magazines yesterday when a particular page made my stomach smile.  I have always been a lover of the american classic grilled cheese.  White bread, american cheese, chips & pickle on the side. Yum.  Then I saw these recipes, they upped the ante.  Maybe I'm like, an adult or something, but these just sounded so more amazing (and I don't even like tomatoes or bacon!).  Case and point, we tried out the california style last night and it was TO DIE FOR. I can't wait to try out the other two real soon, like, now.  Recipes & pictures found in this month's addition of REAL SIMPLE.

CALIFORNIA GRILLED CHEESE

Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 slices white sandwich bread
• 2 slices Cheddar
• 1/8 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. 
2. Form a sandwich with the bread, cheese, onion, and avocado.
3. Cook the sandwich, covered, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

PESTO AND TOMATO GRILLED CHEESE

Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• 2 slices white sandwich bread
• 2 slices Cheddar
• 2 thin slices tomato

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Spread the pesto on 1 slice of the bread and form a sandwich with the cheese and tomato. 
2. Cook the sandwich, covered, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

PEAR AND BACON GRILLED CHEESE

Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons currant or fig jam
• 2 slices white sandwich bread
• 2 slices Cheddar
• 2 slices cooked bacon
• 1/4 small pear, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Spread the jam on 1 slice of the bread and form a sandwich with the cheese, bacon, and pear.
2. Cook the sandwich, covered, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.