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With the two simple core ingredients of bread and cheese, the grilled cheese sandwich innately lends itself to added bells and whistles. Meat, veggies, chocolate, fruit… there’s not much you couldn’t throw in with melted cheese between two pan-fried slices of bread. Many of us associate the grilled cheese with childhood lunches and tomato soup, but there’s an army of creative chefs out there keeping the American staple alive and relevant for grown-ups. It’s back, and it’s not just for lunch anymore. Below we’ve compiled some of the most creative grilled cheese variations known.

If you’re a grilled cheese fan and/or have a knack for cooking, you can save this list for inspiration in Springpad. With Springpad, you can create your own virtual recipe box by saving all of your favorite recipes in one place, no matter where you find them.  (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here.)

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1. The Golden Gate Grilled
It’s like a Monte Cristo, grilled cheese style. Take your standard grilled cheese, throw in some fresh turkey and avocado, and deep fry the thing for a light parmesan crust.  Recipe featured in Sunset Magazine.

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2.  Grown Up Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Perhaps as mature and elegant as grilled cheese gets, this beauty blends Brie, smoked ham, Dijon mustard and red peppers. It’s a feast for the eyes, too.

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3.  The Baklava Special
Who says you can’t have grilled cheese for dessert? This deep-fried, cheesy, chocolaty treat finds the middle ground between an American lunch staple and a classic Mediterranean dessert, Baklava.

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4. The Chubby Melt
Can’t decide whether you’re in the mood for a grilled cheese or a burger? This aptly named stomach bomb features a beef patty nestled  between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Yikes. From the Mossy Creek Cafe in Virginia.

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5.  The Englishman
A British grilled cheese? How dare they! Actually, the name derives from the simple fact that it’s served between two upside-down English muffin slices, which makes for optimal crustiness. And since it does feature a breakfast bread, why not try this one for breakfast? Sounds like a classy way to start the day.

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6. The Farmhouse
Straight from the Food Network, (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/grown-up-farmhouse-grilled-cheese-recipe/index.html) this one features fresh ingredients like pancetta, heirloom tomatoes and pepper on a French brioche. Keep it in mind next time you’re at the farmer’s market.

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7.  The Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich
The grilled cheese meets mac & cheese. And as if two American classics weren’t enough, this recipe also calls for bacon fat and Corn Flakes.

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8.  Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Put some South in your mouth with this combination of pulled pork, barbecue sauce, carmelized onions and sharp cheddar on Texas toast. It might fill you up for a good day or two.

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9. Grilled Crab and Cheese Sandwich
Got some leftover crab meat burning a hole in your fridge? Why not give it the grilled cheese treatment? And don’t forget the avocado.

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10.  Hazelnut-Crusted Grilled Cheese
This sweet variation includes figs and cheese between two slices of hazelnut-crusted bread. Make it at home for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.

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11. The Oregano Open-Faced Grilled Cheese
This might be as “healthy” as grilled cheese gets. It’s an open-faced sandwich (just one piece of bread) with swiss, tomato and oregano. Not exactly a low-carb snack, but delicious nonetheless.

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12.  Sophisticated Grilled Cheese
It may sound like an oxymoron, but with ham, apricot and Brie on whole grain, this one takes the crown in the sophistication department. Just don’t tell your children.

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13. Onion Chutney Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese with garlic and onion chutney? Sounds delicious, and looks delicious. You’ll probably want to brush your teeth after tackling this one, though.

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14.  The Harvest
Los Angeles is home to several acclaimed nomadic food trucks (see Kogi, the Border Grill Truck and Grillmasters). The Grilled Cheese Truck joined that party in December 2009, and their interesting blend of sauteed leeks, butternut squash and agave syrups has been a buzzworthy item from the get-go.

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15. The Bite Size
Bite Catering of Los Angeles specializes in tiny, delectable morsels. This tiny grilled cheese comes on the rim of a shot-glass serving of warm roasted tomato bisque.

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