Why does Giada De Laurentiis add lemon to her grilled cheese sandwich?

Fans of Giada De Laurentiis know that the chef and television host adds her signature lemon twist to many of her recipes, including a simple grilled cheese sandwich. While a grilled cheese sandwich with lemon might sound a bit unusual, De Laurentiis commented, "It tastes so much better and is even lighter when you add a touch of citrus."

De Laurentiis's grilled lemon cheese sandwich has a layered structure: thin slices of fresh lemon, quartered with the peel on, are coated with a little sugar. Then, layers of lemon are sandwiched between fresh, chunky mozzarella cheese, and both are placed between two slices of buttered sourdough bread sprinkled with Parmesan cheese (make sure the Parmesan you buy is authentic). De Laurentiis cooks the sandwich in a skillet, where the fresh mozzarella becomes incredibly melted and the bread turns golden brown with a crisp, cheesy crust.

The inspiration for this sandwich comes from the island of Capri, in the Bay of Naples, Italy, where fresh lemons abound, and combining this fruit with melted mozzarella is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, this combination is brilliant, as the lemon's acidity creates a perfect balance between the rich, savory flavors of the butter and cheeses. It's similar to what happens when you serve tomato soup with a classic American-style grilled cheese sandwich, or when you add lime juice to guacamole, or even with complementary fruits and cheeses on a charcuterie board.

I can't help but think how delicious this sandwich would be with the addition of chopped, sweet, fresh basil leaves, or even better, a generous layer of basil pesto on the inside of the bread! This would add another layer of bright, salty, and garlicky notes, while still being light enough to preserve the lemon's tang. To add an extra touch of protein to the grilled cheese and lemon sandwich (with or without basil pesto), both pancetta and prosciutto (there is a difference) are quintessential Italian meats, as they share the same delicate yet umami-rich flavor profiles as the other ingredients.

If you're not keen on adding lemon to a grilled cheese sandwich, but still want a sweet and savory combination, mozzarella cheese also pairs well with fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, or figs. In these cases, adding butter and Parmesan cheese to the bread crust is optional, but highly recommended.