Grilled cheese bar

Not sure what to serve at your next party? Get toasty with a grown-up grilled cheese and Bloody Mary bar! Martha Stewart says it's a menu that will make your guests melt. "I think that evolving the grilled cheese sandwich is a good thing," she says.

Setup is a cinch. Just buy cheeses known for melting easily—like Gruyère, cheddar and Fontina—and stock up on rye, white and sourdough breads. Don't forget an array of sophisticated toppings.

To cook, have a skillet ready for your guests to grill at will. For best results, Martha says to butter the outsides of the bread, then add two slices of cheese and any mixture of toppings. Cook on one side until the bread is golden brown, then flip.

Whatever you do, don't flatten the sandwich with a spatula. "It's not a panini," Martha says. "A grilled cheese should be light and fluffy on the inside."

Start planning your menu today—browse all of Martha's suggestions, as seen in the October issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine, and get her Bloody Mary recipes
Prosciutto, Arugula and Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Prosciutto, Arugula and Tomato
With Gruyère cheese and layers of prosciutto, arugula and tomato, this sandwich is a merger of grilled cheese and a BLT.

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Gruyere, Apple and Sage on Rye Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Gruyère, Apple and Sage on Rye
Crisp apple combined with creamy, nutty Gruyère balances the earthiness of sage and rye.

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Gruyere, Red Onion, Prosciutto and Pepper on Rye Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Gruyère, Red Onion, Prosciutto and Pepper on Rye
With its peppery finish, this combo is reminiscent of a Reuben sandwich. 

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Fontina, Harissa and Pear on Rye Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Fontina, Harissa and Pear on Rye
A new use for that jar of harissa, this sandwich benefits from the appealing fusion of sweetness and spice. 

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Bacon, Tomato and Avocado on Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Cheddar, Dijon Mustard, Bacon, Tomatoes, Avocado and Pepper on Sourdough
Dijon mustard and black pepper cut through the saltiness and fattiness of the avocado and bacon.

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Cheddar, Jalapeno and Cilantro on White Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Cheddar, Jalapeño and Cilantro on White
A little heat from the jalapeño goes a long way, and the cilantro adds brightness.

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Gruyere, Sardine, Peppadew Peppers and Arugula on Rye Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Gruyère, Oil-Packed Sardines, Peppadew Peppers and Arugula on Rye
The king of melting cheese can handle the flavor explosion from the sardines and the peppers.

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Cheddar, Cherry Preserves and Basil on White Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Cheddar, Cherry Preserves and Basil on White
Creamy cheddar meets tangy cherry preserves and the fresh taste of basil.

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Fontina, Oil-Packed Tuna and Relish on White Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Fontina, Oil-Packed Tuna and Relish on White
A full-flavored tuna melt with hints of sweetness.

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Cheddar, Bacon and Pickles on Sourdough Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Photo: Johnny Miller

Cheddar, Bacon and Pickles on Sourdough
A dose of acidity from the pickles is the perfect complement to bacon and cheddar.

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Bloody Marys

Nothing complements a gooey grilled cheese better than a tangy Bloody Mary. Make two variations, and have them ready at the end of your grilled cheese bar.

Get Martha's recipe for a Yellow Bloody Mary 

Get Martha's recipe for a Classic Bloody Mary

Infused vodka

Add some extra punch to your Bloody Mary bar with some homemade infused vodka. All you need is a bottle of your favorite vodka and pieces of your favorite fruit or vegetable. Martha recommends cucumbers, cubanelle peppers with jalapeños or lemon peels. If the fruit or vegetable you like has seeds, remove them before adding them to the vodka. "Don't leave it out once you put the vegetables or fruits in it, because it could spoil," she says. "It doesn't get solid; it just gets syrupy."

If you're working with pineapple, Martha says to only use the core. "Take that hard core and cut it into thin strips and put it in the vodka," she says. 

Once your flavors have been added to the vodka bottle, let it sit it in the freezer for two to four weeks before serving, she says. 

Try all the recipes Martha has cooked on Oprah's stage through the years

Inside Martha's Maine estate

Martha's incredible comeback

Get more Martha Stewart recipes at MarthaStewart.com