A Rainy Saturday and the Best Grilled Cheese Ever

Hey everyone, happy Saturday! I’m curled up on the couch with a blanket as I type this, listening to the rain tapping on the windows. It’s been one of those slow, gray days that just begs for comfort food and zero plans. Ren and I had big ideas about hitting up the farmers market this morning over in the Old Market district, but when we woke up to a downpour, we scrapped that pretty fast. Instead, we’ve been binge-watching the latest season of Stranger Things on Netflix and pretending the outside world doesn’t exist. I’m not even mad about it.

I did manage to drag myself out of my blanket cocoon around noon to make us some lunch. I’ve been craving a really good grilled cheese sandwich all week—probably because it’s been so dreary outside—and I figured today was the perfect day to make it happen. I’m not exactly a gourmet chef (as you all know from my many kitchen fails), but I’ve got this one recipe down to a science. I’m sharing it below because it’s honestly the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had, and I’m not just saying that because I made it.

First, I grabbed some sourdough bread from the bakery section at Hy-Vee yesterday—it’s got that perfect tangy chew that holds up to butter and heat. I slathered both sides of two slices with a thin layer of mayo (trust me, it’s better than butter for getting that golden crust). Then I layered on a mix of sharp cheddar and a little bit of gouda for that extra melty, nutty vibe. I’ve learned the hard way not to skimp on cheese—pile it on until it’s practically spilling out. I tossed a tiny pinch of black pepper on there too, just for a little kick.

Here’s where I get a little fancy: I heated up my cast iron skillet on medium, and before I put the sandwich in, I threw in a few drops of water to test the heat. When it sizzled, I knew it was ready. I cooked each side for about three minutes until it was crispy and golden, pressing down with a spatula to really fuse everything together. The smell in the kitchen was unreal. Ren wandered in halfway through and just stood there sniffing the air like a cartoon character. We split the sandwich and paired it with some tomato soup from a can (I’m not that ambitious on a rainy day). It was perfection.

After lunch, we just kind of vegged out. I tried to convince Ren to help me repot a couple of my sad-looking houseplants, but they weren’t having it. Can’t say I blame them—it’s hard to muster up motivation when it’s been raining for six hours straight. I did scroll through some work emails for a bit, mostly just sketches and client feedback for a living room redesign I’m wrapping up. I love my job in interior design, but sometimes I need a full day of doing absolutely nothing to recharge.

Oh, and speaking of recharging, I noticed the streetlights outside flickering on a little early today—probably around 3 p.m. I guess with the clouds so thick, the sensors thought it was already dusk. It’s kind of eerie how they hum a little louder when it’s overcast, like they’re working overtime. Anyway, it just added to the cozy, shut-in vibe of the day.

I’m thinking I might make some hot cocoa later if the rain doesn’t let up. I’ve got some Ghirardelli mix in the pantry that’s been calling my name. Maybe I’ll even convince Ren to watch something cheesy like The Holiday to round out this lazy weekend vibe. What are you all up to on this rainy (or hopefully sunny) Saturday? Got any comfort food recipes to share? I’m always looking for easy stuff to mess up in the kitchen. Drop your ideas in the comments—I read every single one, even if I’m slow to reply sometimes.

Until next time, stay cozy!
Maren