Pa’s Grilled Cheese

on March 30, 2011

I was rummaging around my appliances cabinet (I have zero storage in my kitchen so I have to tuck stuff far in the back), and I found this awesome sandwich maker:

Iâ€™d guess itâ€™s at least sixteen years old now â€“ my grandpa passed it onto me a few years ago. I love these pressed grilled cheese sandwiches, and the taste totally takes me back to my childhood. Grandpa would always make them for me! Heâ€™s nearly 94 now.

I need to make a Grilled Banana Sandwich with that sandwich maker! Can you imagine?!

With roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli:

Actually, this was a perfect meal for tonight because I was really busy, and it was fast. Iâ€™m beginning to realize that cooking dinners actually doesnâ€™t take a long time; many healthy meals have minimal prep timeâ€¦. You just have to wait 30 minutes for the veggies to roast. :) This mentality helps me avoid the, â€œIâ€™m too busy to cookâ€ excuse.

Other snacks included pumpkin seeds and Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies.

My new hobby seems to be watching funny YouTube videosâ€¦ Hereâ€™s my favorite of the day.

Dadadada!

Hopefully, my leg will heal soon, and Iâ€™ll be able to run again soon. Otherwise, this is going to slowly turn into a â€˜Funniest YouTube of the Dayâ€™ blog.

{ 81 comments }

Samantha @ Mama Notes March 30, 2011, 9:26 pm
Cute video! I have two boys- not twins, but they are a lot of fun! 🙂
Cate March 30, 2011, 9:31 pm
A grilled cheese sandwich sounds good. I saw that video this morning so darn cute!
hope the leg heals soon.
Ellie@fitforthesoul March 30, 2011, 9:38 pm
Omgsh that’s awesome!! haha I’d love to have been GIVEN a griller from a grandpa and just find it suddenly. Perhaps if I try hard enough right now and wish for it…it’ll appear?! NOPE haha. have a sweet evening! Feel better Caitlin and hang in there!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey March 30, 2011, 9:39 pm
OH my gosh, the Husband made me watch that video about an hour ago – I was CRACKING up!!!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) March 30, 2011, 9:40 pm
That video was all over our local news! Too too too too cute. I want them. My Mexican host family had that grilled cheese maker and I used it every day!
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith March 30, 2011, 9:41 pm
My mom has one of those sandwich makers – I used to make PB&J in them!
Me-Linh @ Sweet and Sweat March 30, 2011, 9:42 pm
I’d still read your blog if it turned to a youtube-video-of-the-day sort of thing!
I use my waffle maker sometimes to make grilled sandwiches. Oh the life and times of being a student…
Holly @ The Runny Egg March 30, 2011, 9:42 pm
I just watched that video on Dlisted — it is so adorable!

I love grilled cheese — your dinner looks delicious!
Ashley @ Feeding Ashley March 30, 2011, 9:44 pm
Those twins are so cute!!!
Grilled almond butter and choc chip sandwich, so many possibilities.
Nicole March 30, 2011, 9:44 pm
I love that video! I first heard my roommate watching it last night and thought it was a baby out in the main hallway of our apartment, then I walked passed her room and realized it was a video. Today I’ve seen it everywhere, amazing how quickly things spread these days!!!
Victoria (District Chocoholic) March 30, 2011, 9:44 pm
Pressed banana sandwich with peanut butter and chocolate.
- Amy March 31, 2011, 7:44 am
  YES.
Abby March 30, 2011, 9:45 pm
Yum! I haven’t had a grilled cheese in FOREVER! That sounds so good! lol
Devon March 30, 2011, 9:48 pm
I’m pretty sure the baby on the left is holding the other baby’s sock for ransom and is making unreasonable demands before he’ll return it, but the one-sock baby isn’t having it! Very intense negotiation we’re witnessing here : )
- Caitlin March 31, 2011, 9:05 am
  I agree!!!
Lizzy March 30, 2011, 9:51 pm
we totally had that same sandwich maker and i LOVED it as a kid. i so wish i had one right now so i could make grilled cheese!
Laura March 30, 2011, 9:51 pm
I saw that video on the news last night here in New Zealand too; it must have gone viral this week! 🙂

I love my toastie maker! Cheese and spaghetti toasties are a NZ childhood classic. I also make toasted egg sandwiches in them a lot too (just crack a raw egg right into the middle of the bread and it’s cooked when the outside bread is toasted). They’re really good for making individual dessert pies as well, using either bread or sweet pastry, sliced fruit, cinnamon and sugar.
Shrinking mommy of 2 March 30, 2011, 9:52 pm
I have one of those sandwich makers…the kiddos love having triangle sandwiches. It makes for a quick and easy lunch or dinner!

The video is too funny!
Natalia - a side of simple March 30, 2011, 9:55 pm
They had this video on the Today show when I was at the gym this morning and I felt like a fool laughing at the screen because I was the only one who could see/hear it! Too funny.

Glad you got your grilled cheese on. Your post yesterday had me craving one because of the soup!
Lauren @ Sweet and Twisted March 30, 2011, 10:00 pm
Saw that video earlier and it cracked me up! Wonder what they were discussing…their socks maybe!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) March 30, 2011, 10:02 pm
I have always wanted one of those sandwich makers! I used to watch the infomercials, haha.

My mom just showed me that talking babies video a little while ago. SO cute!!
Baking 'n' Books March 30, 2011, 10:11 pm
Oh my God – I was going to post that video! It’s all over the news!

Sweet find! I have memories of making pancakes with that press back when I came home from the bars late, late at night in college…oh those were the days. Is roasting veggies similar taste really as sauteeing? I almost always “saute” them in a skillet/frying pan with some oil.
- Karen March 30, 2011, 11:01 pm
  IMHO, roasted veggies taste even better than sauteed ones! And it’s less work and clean-up:)
Kim @ Kim Lives Healthy March 30, 2011, 10:13 pm
The kids are so hilarious – they never interrupt each other! 🙂
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing March 30, 2011, 10:18 pm
So true — if you can minimize the prep time, it’s just a matter of entertaining yourself for a while while the food cooks! Thankfully, we have YouTube and laundry to fill that void 😉
Caz March 30, 2011, 10:18 pm
In Australia those are called Jaffle makers and we put baked beans in with the cheese. YUM!
Kayla @ Fitter Than Choc March 30, 2011, 10:19 pm
The video is so so funny. It certainly cracked me up. I wonder if they understand one another? I’m sure your leg will heal soon:)Do take care!
Caitlyn (The Spoonful of Life) March 30, 2011, 10:24 pm
That is such a cute video. It’s like they are speaking in a different language!
Amy March 30, 2011, 10:26 pm
Such a cute video. Has potential for amazingly hilarious subtitles. Here’s another adorable one I found today. The end is the best part!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdylQeg5B9I
- Caitlin March 31, 2011, 9:04 am
  I love this one. I tweeted it!!!
Jenn @ Running Jennie March 30, 2011, 10:27 pm
Mmm sandwich maker! I used to love “pizza sandwiches” – cheese and pizza sauce.

Also, that video is fantastic! 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) March 30, 2011, 10:31 pm
That video is so cute! I may be biased because I’m a twin and I automatically think all twins are adorable 🙂 My mom swears that my sister and I really talked to each other when we were that little!
Megan (Running Foodie) March 30, 2011, 10:31 pm
You can almost imagine what they are saying to each other! Too cute 🙂
Laughter-Loving Stacy March 30, 2011, 10:43 pm
Lol, well i’m not minding the funny youtube videos 😀 And I definitely want a sandwich maker. 🙂 🙂
Danielle March 30, 2011, 10:44 pm
Hey Caitlin,
I know you hurt your quad and didnt run DC but have you also pulled out of NYC? Did you injure yourself more severely than originally thought?
- Caitlin March 31, 2011, 9:02 am
  I posted about that very topic this am, Danielle! Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Fallon March 30, 2011, 10:47 pm
That video made me laugh so hard I had tears!
Angela (Oh She Glows) March 30, 2011, 10:47 pm
OMG I LOVE that video, I saw it earlier and almost peed myself. And showed everyone I know. I love the waving of the hands…talk to the hand brotha!!

I’ve been dreaming of a sandwich press for years. I wonder if I could use my waffle maker for the same effect?

Hope your leg heals soon!
- Ericka March 31, 2011, 12:44 am
  Ha, the waving hands!! “Oh no you di’nt!” hahaha, love it.
  - Caitlin March 31, 2011, 9:01 am
    I want to know what they are talking about!
Jess@atasteofconfidence March 30, 2011, 10:51 pm
Our professor showed us that video in class today, it was great!
Angela (Oh She Glows) March 30, 2011, 10:51 pm
oh and im eagerly awaiting captions on that video!
Karen March 30, 2011, 11:02 pm
Apparently, that video totally went viral! I also saw it on my local news earlier today. So cute!

I hope your leg is all healed up very soon!
Kristen March 30, 2011, 11:07 pm
I saw this video today too before work, defiantly made my day start out with a smile!
Lindsey March 30, 2011, 11:22 pm
I loved our sandwich maker growing up! And there has been many times I wished I still had it. I do have one you use over the fire and we use to make pies, just using bread and pie filling – great camping treats 🙂
Leighanne March 30, 2011, 11:27 pm
I used to have one of those sandwich makers when I was a kid. My favourite thing on them was pancake puffs. I know that thing has to be somewhere around my parents place. I need to find it the next time I’m there!!!
Annette@ EnjoyYourHealthyLife March 30, 2011, 11:29 pm
I love grilled cheese sandwiches!! 🙂
Sophia @ Raven Waves March 30, 2011, 11:29 pm
Just saw that video yesterday!! So cute! And I’ll always love my grilled cheese sandwiches. 🙂 It’s the kid in me!
Keri March 30, 2011, 11:32 pm
I hate being injured–but you seem so positive about it–really! Hope that you heal quickly, and in the mean time, here are a couple links to fuel your fire….if you haven’t seen them already?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXXm696UbKY
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs
- Caitlin March 31, 2011, 9:01 am
  muahahhaha!
Mac March 30, 2011, 11:34 pm
Kids are so darn cute and goofy! I wish I could get in their minds and find out what all this dadadada business is!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) March 30, 2011, 11:43 pm
i love lopve love those old school sandwich presses! They are great for making baked bean ‘jaffles’ 🙂
Tay March 30, 2011, 11:53 pm
How funny! I just posted that video on facebook the other day and was going to put it on my blog. Guess I can’t now 😉 SO FUNNY
Mama Pea March 31, 2011, 12:04 am
Oh man, I had one of those! We used to put cherry pie filling in between two slices of white bread and make “pies!”
Emma (Namaste Everyday) March 31, 2011, 12:24 am
that’s so funny-my friend sent me that video today! Also, I think I want to roast sweet potatoes for dinner tonight too!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) March 31, 2011, 12:27 am
That video is so cute. It makes me want twins 🙂
Michelle March 31, 2011, 12:36 am
My roommate and I stumbled upon that video earlier this afternoon– thought it was adorable!
Laine March 31, 2011, 6:36 am
You could always blog about yoga if you aren’t running! Although funny You Tube videos are also good.
Jumanah @ Healthy Living in the Middle East March 31, 2011, 6:36 am
I actually posted that video on my facebook page. Its so funny! I have twin girls and it was hilarious to watch them talk to each other when they were younger. They are 3 now and talk to each other all the time in their own special language that only they can understand.
- Caitlin March 31, 2011, 9:00 am
  I want twins! That is too cute.
The Teenage Taste March 31, 2011, 7:11 am
A grilled cheese press sounds like a cool gadget! I bet it would be amazing for your grilled banana sandwich.

PS – I just wanted that video – so cute! 😀
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) March 31, 2011, 7:15 am
We have that sandwich maker! It makes the best pizza sandwiches! That’s a favorite here. I hope your leg feels better soon!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope March 31, 2011, 7:20 am
Ha, well it certainly is entertaining! 😉

My family had a mini panini maker that you held over a fire to cook sandwiches when we went camping. It was also so fun to come up with the craziest sandwiches!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin March 31, 2011, 7:49 am
My family had a sandwich maker like that when I was younger, but I actually didn’t like it! I always insisted that my mom make my grilled cheeses on the stove. LOL!
- Caitlin March 31, 2011, 8:59 am
  Stove is better, I agree 🙂
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me March 31, 2011, 7:54 am
I’ve never used a sandwich maker but I did love the panini press while I was in college. It was so perfect for melting cheese and toasting the bread….mmmm!! Has me craving a white chicken salad sandwich with provolone and swiss!
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life March 31, 2011, 7:54 am
I adore that video! Your dinner looks delish!
Khushboo March 31, 2011, 8:02 am
I LOVE grilled cheese sandwiches, especially made in those machines! Even better is when I add an omelet into that babyâ€¦besides adding a hefty dose of protein, egg+cheese is the jam! Speaking of jam, that would go down well too!
Cait March 31, 2011, 8:16 am
ahha i put this video on my post yesterday and started cracking up when i listened to it 😉 love the post and those sweet potatoes yummmm! xo have a great thursday!
Amber K March 31, 2011, 10:46 am
My best friend has twins and I learned early on that while I wouldn’t mind having my kids closer together than I originally planned, I do NOT want twins. Especially those early months. Yikes.

But that video is still adorable!! Man that baby fever is high and running!
Katie @ peacebeme March 31, 2011, 11:18 am
That is the best way to make grilled cheese!
Stephanie@MyThornsHaveRoses March 31, 2011, 11:43 am
My favorite video in a long time. I love how the one guy likes to lift his leg and then laugh. And how they say dadadadadadad the ENTIRE time until right before the end one of them says Mama into the stove. I can’t get enough of these babies!
becca @ bellebottoms March 31, 2011, 12:03 pm
I saw that video and nearly died!! you have to also check out the mom scaring her baby by sneezing…it’s hilarious!! 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oxmRT2YWw
Jo @ Jo In the Kitchen March 31, 2011, 1:05 pm
Those babies are hilarious!! Thanks for sharing that 😀
Krista March 31, 2011, 1:37 pm
I’ve had one of those sandwich makers for years and have always made pizza “pockets” in it. OR…apple pie turnovers. YUM!
Jessica March 31, 2011, 4:09 pm
Those sandwich makes saved me in college. We called them squishy sandwiches and they were AMAZING!
Jodi March 31, 2011, 4:41 pm
Oh my gosh!! That sandwich maker brings back so many memories of my senior year of college. My husband and I had just gotten married, were in school full-time, and were both putting in about 50 hours of work each week as well. I had about and hour between school and work and I made SO many sandwiches in one of those. SO quick and so good. It got me through that time in my life!! Wish I knew where it went because now I am crazing a grilled cheese made in it 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Autumn Tao March 31, 2011, 8:45 pm
I laughed till I cried. Then I showed my husband we both laughed, and I cried again. Then I forwarded to my moms and girlfriends that have or want babies. Too funny. Thanks!
Sarah April 1, 2011, 12:56 pm
Oh man, that sandwich maker looks awesome, makes me want to make a grilled cheese sandwich immediately!
Brandi April 1, 2011, 1:41 pm
I know I’m super late to comment but my best friend and I used to make brownies in sandwich makers like that. Super delicious!
Juani April 4, 2011, 11:06 am
Is it just my family that calls these machines ‘snackwhich’ makers?

I’ve always wanted twin boys,don’t know why – these 2 boys are adorable!

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