cheese on toast

the ultimate cheese on toast [5 ingredients | 10 minutes]

 

I’ve always been a big fan of cheese on toast.

Over the years my preferred method has well and truly evolved. From humble beginnings with processed sliced cheese under the grill that stayed square and freakishly plastic no matter how long you melted it.

I then developed a very complicated technique that involved mixing guryere, parmesan and creme fraiche. This was placed on top of the bread which was pan fried in butter to get the bottom lovely and crunchy. Then the whole thing popped under the grill until the cheese had melted. Fiddly but good.

You’ll be happy to know that last week I had a breakthrough in the quest for the ultimate cheese on toast. Are you ready for the secret?

Well it’s pretty basic, you see you just melt it in the oven.

Now it may not sound that groundbreaking but trust me, after trying this cheese on toast you won’t be going back. No more griller burning the crusts while you’re trying to get the cheese all golden and bubbling. No more cold bottoms, hot tops. We’re talking even cooking and perfectly melted cheesey goodness. We’re talking a lightly toasted bottom with soft bready centres. So easy and so good.

I’ve changed my thinking about the best cheese as well. Gone is the complicated mix of guryere and parmesan. Cheddar is now my cheese on toast king. Particularly the lovely sharp Irish cheddar I’ve been enjoying while we’ve been stranded with the whole volcanic ash palaver.

I have 2 versions for you. The first is for hardcore minimalists. Bread, butter, sliced cheese.

The second is a bit more decadent with a little mustard to compliment the cheesy flavours and a little mayo to give you the ultimate oozy, golden, bubbling cheese extrvaganza.

 

[5 ingredients | 10 minutes]
minimalist cheese on toast
serves 2

Cheddar works brilliantly here but feel free to experiment with your favourite cheese combo.

If you wanted to minimise your cholesterol damage, a generous drizzle of olive oil could be used in place of the butter.

2 slices rustic bread
butter
cheese

Preheat oven to 250C (480F).

Generously butter bread and place on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper.

Bake for 3 minutes or until butter is melted.

Top with slices of cheese to completely cover the bread.

Bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden brown patches.

 

[5 ingredients | 10 minutes]
the ultimate cheese on toast
serves 2

Again, the choice of cheese is in your court. The mayo makes it a bit moister so you could easily use hard cheese such as parmesan or manchengo. For me right now, Irish cheddar is where it’s at.

Also lovely with a slice or 2 of smoked ham layered under the cheese.

For an even more rich experience replace the mayo with an egg yolk.

2 slices rustic bread
butter
2 handfuls grated cheese
1t wholegrain mustard
1T whole egg mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 250C (480F).

Generously butter bread and place on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper.

Bake for 3 minutes or until butter is melted.

Combine cheese, mustard and may. Completely cover the bread with the cheese mixture.

Bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden brown patches