Frederic Melton
Chilli cheese toast is a popular snack and street food in India, especially in Mumbai. It is a simple and easy bread snack made with basic ingredients like bread, cheese, chillies, and veggies. The toast can be made on a tawa, skillet, stovetop, air fryer, oven, or grill. The type of bread and cheese used can vary depending on preference, but it is recommended to use fresh and sturdy bread to hold the toppings. The cheese should be at room temperature for easy spreading. The number of chillies and spice levels can also be adjusted to suit one's taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 4-5 minutes |
| Number of ingredients | 5 |
| Bread | White, brown, multi-grain, whole wheat, sourdough, french, texas toast, Italian, or multigrain |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, cheddar, Amul (Indian brand), provolone, Italian cheese mix, Mexican cheese mix, pizza cheese, or a blend |
| Chilli | Green chilli, deseeded if you prefer less spice, or red chilli flakes |
| Other vegetables | Onion, green bell pepper, green onion, sweet corn, grated carrot, cabbage, broccoli, or capsicum |
| Seasonings | Oregano, black pepper, ginger, garlic, coriander, or cilantro |
| Cooking method | Oven, air fryer, tawa/skillet (stovetop), or toaster/grill |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your bread
When it comes to choosing your bread, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of bread you use can vary depending on your preference. You can opt for white bread, brown bread, multi-grain bread, whole wheat bread, sourdough bread, or even French bread. The key is to choose a fresh, sturdy bread that can hold up its shape and carry the toppings easily. If you want a thicker, crustier slice, go for sourdough, but if you're using regular white bread, you may need more slices as they tend to be thinner.
Another factor to consider is the size of the bread slices. If you're using sandwich-sized bread, you can expect a hearty serving with around 300-400 calories per slice. However, if you prefer a smaller portion or want to make bite-sized chilli cheese toasts, you can cut the slices into halves or use smaller varieties of bread.
The cooking method can also influence your bread choice. For example, if you're using an air fryer, you might not need to toast the bread beforehand, as the air fryer will give it a crispy texture. On the other hand, if you're grilling or toasting the bread, you'll want to choose a type of bread that holds up well to toasting without becoming too hard or brittle.
Lastly, think about the overall taste and texture you want to achieve. If you're a fan of crispy, golden bread, a thicker slice like Texas toast or sourdough might be ideal, as they provide a substantial base for the toppings. Alternatively, if you prefer a softer, more pillowy texture, a lighter variety of bread might be more suitable.
Remember, the beauty of chilli cheese toast is its versatility, so don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread to find your perfect combination of flavour, texture, and presentation.
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Selecting the right cheese
When it comes to selecting cheese for chilli cheese toast, you have a few options. Traditional Indian chilli cheese toast, a popular street food in cities like Mumbai, uses Amul cheese, a brand of processed cheese that is grated and piled onto bread slices. However, if you can't find Amul cheese, other types of cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican or Italian cheese blend can be used instead.
It's important to grate the cheese before using it, as this makes it easier to spread and mix with other ingredients. Additionally, bringing the grated cheese to room temperature before using it will enhance its flavour and make it easier to work with.
When choosing a cheese for your chilli cheese toast, consider the overall spice level you want to achieve. If you prefer a milder flavour, opt for a milder cheese such as mozzarella. If you want a spicier kick, sharper cheeses like cheddar or provolone can be used to complement the heat of the chillies.
Ultimately, the best cheese for chilli cheese toast is one that melts well and has a strong, savoury flavour that can stand up to the other ingredients. Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite combination, as the versatility of this dish allows for a wide range of customisations to suit your taste preferences.
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Preparing the chilli
Next, finely chop or mince your chillies. Mincing is a good technique to reduce the spice level and ensure the heat is distributed evenly throughout the dish. You can also add crushed red chilli flakes for an extra spicy punch. If you're making this dish for kids, it's best to skip the green chillies altogether and stick to jalapeños or red chilli flakes for a milder spice.
The amount of chilli you use will depend on your preference for spice. For a milder flavour, start with just one chopped green chilli, or two if you like it hot. You can also adjust the spice level by adding other ingredients, such as ginger, which adds a nice aromatic twist to the dish. If you're not a fan of ginger, you can skip it or replace it with garlic.
Once your chillies are prepared, mix them with the grated cheese. Amul cheese, a popular brand in India, is traditionally used for this dish, but you can also use cheddar, mozzarella, or any other melty cheese you prefer. Make sure the cheese is at room temperature, as it will be easier to mix and spread. You can also add other ingredients to the mixture, such as chopped green peppers, onions, or other vegetables of your choice.
Now you have your chilli and cheese mixture ready, it's time to spread it evenly over your toasted bread slices. But before that, you might want to butter your bread or spread some cream cheese for an extra indulgent touch.
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Cooking methods
Chilli cheese toast is a popular snack and street food in India, especially in Mumbai. It is a quick, easy, and inexpensive dish that can be made in just a few minutes. The basic ingredients include bread, cheese, and chillies, but it can be customised to suit your taste.
Oven
Firstly, preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celsius in grill mode for 5 minutes. While the oven is preheating, spread a layer of cheese over your bread slices, sprinkling chopped chillies on top. Place the slices on a baking tray lined with greased butter paper and bake for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and turned golden. If you don't have an oven with a grill mode, you can use the convection mode instead.
Stovetop
You can also make chilli cheese toast on a stovetop using a tawa, skillet, or thick-bottomed pan. Toast your bread slices over medium heat until they are toasted and crispy. Then, spread butter or cream cheese on the toasted side of the bread, and top with the chilli cheese mixture. Place the slices back on the tawa or skillet, cover, and cook until the cheese has melted, which should take around 4-5 minutes.
Air Fryer
To make chilli cheese toast in an air fryer, you can choose to toast the bread first, although this step may not be necessary as the air fryer will make the bread crispy. Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, and follow the same steps as the stovetop method.
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Seasoning and serving
Chilli cheese toast is a versatile dish that can be seasoned and served in a variety of ways to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Spiciness
If you like your food spicy, there are several ways to increase the heat in your chilli cheese toast. Firstly, you can add crushed red chilli flakes to the cheese mixture. You can also adjust the number of chillies you use – start with one chopped green chilli for a milder spice level, and increase to two if you prefer it hotter. If you're making this dish for kids, you may want to omit the green chillies altogether and use jalapeños or red chilli flakes for a milder spice. Remember that the type of chilli you use will also affect the spice level – Thai green chillies, for example, are hotter than jalapeños.
Herbs
Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves are a popular garnish for chilli cheese toast, adding a burst of colour and a fresh flavour. You can also add dried oregano to the cheese mixture for an extra flavour boost. If you're making a chilli garlic toast, you might like to include some ginger, although this is optional.
Bread
The type of bread you use can also affect the flavour of your chilli cheese toast. Sourdough bread is a popular choice, as it has a thick, crusty texture that holds up well under the weight of the toppings. However, you can also use French bread, Texas toast, white bread, whole wheat bread, Italian bread, multigrain bread, or your favourite variety.
Cheese
Traditionally, Amul cheese, an Indian brand of processed cheese, is used for chilli cheese toast. However, you can also use cheddar cheese, mozzarella, provolone, an Italian cheese mix, a Mexican cheese mix, pizza cheese, or a mixed cheese blend. If you're using a block of cheese, grate it first, then let it come to room temperature before using, as this will make it easier to spread.
Veggies
Chilli cheese toast can be customised with a variety of vegetables. Popular options include onions, green onions, green bell peppers, sweet corn, and tomatoes. If you're looking to add extra nutrition, you can also try grated carrots, cabbage, broccoli, or sweet corn kernels.
Serving suggestions
Chilli cheese toast can be served as an appetizer, a quick snack, or a breakfast dish. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a side of ketchup or coriander chutney. If you're serving it for breakfast, you might like to accompany it with a cup of tea or coffee.
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