Grace's 4th Birthday/ Grilled Cheese Bar/ Beef & Barley Soup

My adorable little spunky niece Grace just turned 4 on December 5th. Here are some of the pictures from her birthday party.

This is the best picture I could capture of these little rascals. Grace is in the middle, her cousin Dominic is on the left and her best friend Cheyenne is on the right. Grace loves My Little Pony right now and that was definitely the theme of the party. 

My sister Erin had the fun idea to have a grilled cheese bar. We made gooey grilled cheese sandwiches using my panini press with a variety of toppings and amazing combinations. I've listed some of my favorites below.

Beef & Barley soup has been one of our family staples this winter. It goes really well with grilled cheese, but really, what doesn't? ;)

The girls in my family love Downton Abby. Watching the hustle and bustle of the kitchen staff makes me very grateful for modern appliances. The recipes in Downton Cooks are great from scratch options that soothe the soul with comfort and nostalgia.  Click here for the Beef & Barley Soup recipe pictured above.

And now for the grilled cheese... Here are some ideas to start, as the possibilities are endless. Pick a basic cheddar and Texas toast, or go ultra gourmet with sourdough, Brie, balsamic, blueberries and basil. A grilled cheese bar is great for a DIY dinner for your guests. You can even customize your options for allergies and dietary restrictions; (think vegetarian, gluten free bread, non-dairy cheese, etc., that everyone can enjoy. And guests get to let their creativity flow.

1-Bread

Have a variety of options; sourdough, French, ciabatta, whole grain, rye, brioche. Or go for the gourmet options like asiago, garlic or jalapeño cheddar. Why not add more cheese? ;)

2-Cheese

Make sure whatever you pick, that the majority has a low melting range. Mix your favorites! Suggestions: cheddar varieties; smoked, sweet, spicy or nutty. Mozzarella, fontina, gruyere, brie or pepper jack to name a few. One of my absolute favorites is a white cheddar with walnut. AmAzing!

3-Ad In's 

Vegetables, fruits, herbs, greens, meats, the works! 

• Herbs: basil, cilantro, parsley, sage and chives add distinctive (and elevated) flavors.
• Fruit: sliced apples, pears and figs pair perfectly with cheese.
• Pickles & relishes: pickled jalapenos are great for adding spice, and regular 
• Vegetables: slice peppers (jalapeño, bell or banana) tomatoes, zucchini, avocado, carrot or caramelized onions 
•  Don’t forget fresh greens like spinach, arugula, kale or radicchio.
• Meats: bacon (because it should be a part of every meal) prosciutto, deli meats such as ham, turkey or chicken, pepperoni or thickly slicked steak.
• Preserves & condiments: fruit jams, pepper jelly and preserves make a wonderful complement to many cheeses, as does mustard (Dijon, hot or honey), pesto, hummus or BBQ sauce.

Have a suggestions menu for your guests to help them with a few combination ideas and encourage them to think outside of the box. I suggest having a few panini presses available or a cast iron skillet in the range. Keep melted butter and a silicone brush handy to butter the outside of the bread for extra flavor and crispness. Keep napkins nearby, oven mits, a spatula to flip (one that can take the heat), and an apron if guests would like to get in the spirit and cover their party clothes. Make sure to have a few basic sandwiches ready to go when your guests arrive so they are not starving while waiting to make their masterpiece. To round out the meal, serve with a soup selection such as tomato, beef & barley as shown below or a simple chicken noodle. Have snacking fruit such as grapes on hand as well as a green salad if you would like.

I have pinned several amazing recipies on Pinterest, follow me and look for my "Sammie's" board. My username is Stilettos7Spice or you can click the link at the top of the blog homepage.