Cheese on toast is a classic comfort food enjoyed by people across the world. With a few simple ingredients, this humble dish can be transformed into a gourmet masterpiece. This article provides a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect cheese on toast, from selecting the best bread and cheese to choosing the right gourmet toppings. We will explore different variations of this timeless dish, such as the classic Welsh rarebit, the oozy French croque monsieur, and the creamy American grilled cheese. Additionally, we will provide tips for creating a delicious vegetarian or vegan version, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this delightful snack.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHEESE ON TOAST - CHEAP AND CHEERFUL BRITISH TOASTED CHEESE
Call it what you will, traditional British cheese on toast is a national institution, an iconic snack enjoyed by all, regardless of class or background! What can be simpler and tastier, hunks of homemade or crusty farmhouse style bread topped with mature Cheddar cheese, a smidge of mustard and Worcestershire sauce for those who desire an extra kick! This is NOT really a recipe; it is a basic method for making a super tasty and nutritious fast food dish. There is even a Cheese on Toast Day celebrated in the UK - mark your calendars now, the last Thursday in April has been set aside for this comforting supper treat. I lived on cheese on toast whilst I was a student, as I am sure most students do nowadays! You can use other British cheeses, but I find the best cheese without a doubt, is a good mature farmhouse cheddar. Make sure your bread is thickly sliced and you have your plates ready and waiting to receive the molten cheesy snack - pull up a chair by the fireside in the winter and enjoy your 5-minute culinary efforts! (This is an all year around snack I hasten to add.) An interesting historical note; toasted cheese was served as the final course to male diners during Edwardian times, in Gentleman's Clubs........the cheese was melted and served in a pot with the toast set around the edges - a sort of Gentleman's Club fondue!
Provided by French Tart
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 6m
Yield 4 Slices of Cheese on Toast, 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the grill to hot and toast the bread on both sides. Spread a little mustard on each slice, then top with the cheese, laying the slices of cheese as close as possible to the edges of the toast. (Pile the grated cheese over the top evenly, again as close to the edges as possible.).
- Sprinkle over the Worcestershire sauce to taste then pop the cheese on toast under the grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately with Branston pickle, chutney, relish and/or pickled onions.
- Serves 2 to 4 depending on "greed level" and hunger! Alternatively, serves an impoverished student as a main course meal!
- Tip - for full flavour, use a mature Farmhouse Cheddar and good quality thick sliced bread - I prefer white, but granary and wholemeal are fine.
- Final note - Cooking Style.
- There are generally two schools of Cheese on Toast Chefery, those who use grated cheese, and those who use slabs of cheese. It has even been suggested that peoples personality is reflected in how they cook their cheese on toast.
- Slabbers are direct and focused. The key for them being that is quick, easy, and generates minimal washing up.
- Graters tend to be more extravert and creative. They will spend minutes piling extra cheese onto each piece of the toast. Most of this cheese will fall off the toast when its inserted under the grill. Slabbers tend to think that the amount of grated cheese piled on a slice of toast is inversely proportional to the chance of being made to clean the grill pan.
- Obsessive Slabbers. An obsessive slabber will arrange the slices of cheese to totally cover the bread, not overlap the sides of the bread, and not overlap each other.
- Warning:A Slabber will generally be happy to be given a plate of grated Cheese on toast, but Graters always look disappointed with slab Cheese on toast! Relationships have ended over this point.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 823.4, Fat 42.4, SaturatedFat 24.8, Cholesterol 119.1, Sodium 1486.6, Carbohydrate 69.1, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 1.1, Protein 40.3
PIMENTO CHEESE TOASTS
Provided by Scott Peacock
Categories Broil Cocktail Party Vegetarian Quick & Easy Kentucky Derby Mayonnaise Cheddar Bell Pepper Gourmet
Yield Makes about 36 hors d'oeuvres
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat broiler.
- Stir together all ingredients, except baguette, plus 1/8 teaspoon pepper and salt to taste.
- Slice baguette crosswise 1/3 inch thick and spread bread thickly with cheese mixture. Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat until cheese is bubbling and browned, about 2 minutes.
GOURMET CHEESE ON TOAST
Here's a deluxe version of cheese on toast, easily adaptable to your own tastes. You might try adding some mushrooms or some roasted sweet peppers.
Provided by Sackville
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 25m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Trim the beans, cut them in half and then boil in a small pan of water for two minutes.
- Drain and cool with some cold water.
- Place the cheese in a bowl with the olives, mint or basil, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Mix together.
- Mix the onion and balsamic vinegar together in a bowl.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and pile over top of the onion mixture.
- Season with a bit of salt and pepper, add two tablespoons of the olive oil and garlic and mix together.
- Toast the bread, then rub one side with the remaining olive oil and spread thickly with the cheese mixture.
- Cover with each piece of bread with a ham slice, place the toast on plates and pile with the onion mixture.
- Garnish with the beans and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 505, Fat 35.3, SaturatedFat 11, Cholesterol 32.1, Sodium 747.2, Carbohydrate 35, Fiber 5.3, Sugar 8.6, Protein 15
CHEESE ON TOAST
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories appetizer
Time 25m
Yield 16 toasts
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- The thing I like most about a recipe like this is that you have a chance to showcase your favorite type of cheese in a way that's hard for people to resist. I like goat cheese for the "tang" factor and the supple texture. This goes great with a bowl of my chicken soup but can really fit in with any soup for the "comfort" factor.
- Heat a large skillet, over medium heat, and add the olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, shut off the heat and add the thyme leaves. The thyme should make a crackling sound as it hits the oil, cooking it slightly and mellowing the flavor. Add the bread in a single layer. Turn the heat back on and cook over medium heat until the first side browns, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Use a pair of tongs to turn the toasts on their second side and season with kosher salt. Top each round with a slice of cheese and continue cooking them over very low heat or off the heat, for 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust the seasonings with sea salt, to taste. Serve alongside soup, if desired.
CHEESE ON TOAST
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories appetizer
Time 30m
Yield 16 toasts
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- The thing I like most about a recipe like this is that you have a chance to showcase your favorite type of cheese in a way that's hard for people to resist. I like goat cheese for the "tang" factor and the supple texture. This goes great with a bowl of my chicken soup but can really fit in with any soup for the "comfort" factor.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, shut off the heat and add the thyme leaves. The thyme should make a crackling sound as it hits the oil, cooking it slightly and mellowing the flavor. Add the bread in a single layer. Turn the heat back on and cook over medium heat until the first side browns, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Use a pair of tongs to turn the toasts on their second side and season with kosher salt. Top each round with a slice of cheese and continue cooking them over very low heat or off the heat, an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust the seasonings with sea salt, to taste. Serve alone or alongside soup, if desired.
CHEESE TOAST
_Tranches au Fromage_
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Spread bread with a thick layer of French mustard, then cover the whole surface of the bread with strips of cheese.
- Put slice of bread on an ovenproof dish and under the grill until the cheese softens and turns golden brown. Just before it begins to run, remove the dish and carry it to the table. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cut slice in four and serve on hot plates.
Tips:
- Choose the right cheese: Opt for a flavorful cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyère, or fontina.
- Use high-quality bread: A sturdy bread will hold up to the melted cheese and toppings. Try a sourdough, baguette, or ciabatta.
- Add your favorite toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Some popular options include sliced tomatoes, bacon, thinly sliced ham, caramelized onions, mushrooms, or arugula.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Make sure there is enough space between the slices of bread so that they can toast evenly.
- Keep an eye on the cheese: The cheese should be melted and bubbly, but not burnt. Watch it closely to prevent burning.
Conclusion:
Cheese on toast is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for any meal. With a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can create a gourmet cheese on toast that is sure to impress your taste buds. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give cheese on toast a try. You won't be disappointed!
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