Cheese On Toast: The Perfect Pairing Ideas

Cheese on toast is a quick, easy, and delicious snack or meal. While some people prefer to keep it simple with just bread, butter, and cheese, others like to experiment with different types of cheese, bread, and additional toppings. For example, some people like to add mustard, mayonnaise, or Worcestershire sauce to their cheese on toast. Others might add sliced or grated onion, sliced tomato, or even a slice of ham.

Buttered bread

When making cheese on toast with buttered bread, you can either butter the bread before or after toasting it. If you choose to butter the bread before toasting, you can pop it in the oven or toaster, or fry it in a pan. If you decide to toast the bread first, you can use a pan, oven, or toaster to do so.

Once your bread is toasted, you can add your cheese. Some recipes suggest mixing the cheese with other ingredients, such as garlic, herbs, or mustard, before adding it to the bread. You can then put the cheese-topped bread back in the oven or under the grill to melt the cheese.

Garlic Cheese Toast

• Butter your bread slices on both sides.
• Toast the bread in a pan on medium heat until crisp on one side.
• Flip the bread, reduce the heat, and add the cheese, herbs, and chilli flakes.
• Cover and cook on low heat until the cheese begins to melt.

Cheese Toast

• Cut your bread into thick slices.
• Mix garlic, shredded pepper Jack cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded parmesan cheese, and dry oregano in a bowl.
• Butter the bottom of the bread slices.
• Add the cheese mixture to the tops of the slices, piling it high.
• Bake in the oven at 350 F for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• Turn the oven to broil for about 2 minutes to brown the tops.

Buttered Toast

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Trim the crusts off thin slices of loaf bread.
• Melt butter and butter the bread on both sides.
• Arrange the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottom.
• Turn the pieces and bake for another 1-2 minutes, until browned on the second side.

Mustard

The type of mustard you choose can vary depending on your preference. You could opt for the classic yellow mustard, spicy Dijon, or whole-grain varieties.

Choosing the Right Mustard:

• Classic yellow mustard will give your sandwich a traditional flavour.
• Spicy Dijon mustard will add a tangy kick to your sandwich.
• Whole-grain mustard provides a textured bite and a slightly milder flavour.

Amount of Mustard:

Start with a small amount of mustard and adjust to your taste. You can always add more, but it's difficult to remove if you've added too much.

Preparing the Mustard:

If you're using a coarse-grained mustard, consider mixing it with a little mayonnaise or butter to create a smooth spread.

Cheese and Mustard Pairings:

• Sharp Cheddar: This classic combination is a favourite for a reason. The sharpness of the cheddar pairs perfectly with the tang of the mustard.
• Gouda: The slightly sweet and nutty flavour of Gouda goes well with the sharpness of mustard.
• Blue Cheese: If you're feeling adventurous, try pairing your mustard with a strong blue cheese for a complex flavour profile.

Assembling the Sandwich:

• Spread a thin layer of mustard on your bread before adding the cheese. This ensures that every bite has a hint of mustard.
• If you're feeling indulgent, mix a small amount of mustard with your grated cheese before sprinkling it on the bread. This creates a cohesive layer of cheesy, mustardy goodness.

Additional Tips:

• Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of mustard and cheese to find your favourite combination.
• If you want to elevate your sandwich even further, consider adding other ingredients such as sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, or even a thin layer of sliced ham.

In conclusion, mustard is a versatile condiment that can enhance the flavour of your cheese on toast. Whether you prefer a simple approach or a more indulgent creation, don't be afraid to get creative and explore the wonderful world of mustard!

Mayo

Firstly, you can use mayo as a spread on the outside of your bread, instead of butter. This creates a delicious, rich, and slightly tangy flavour, and a nice brown crust. Mayo spreads better than butter, especially on softer bread, and has a higher smoke point, so it won't burn as easily. The oil and egg in the mayo also add a creamy flavour to the crust.

If you want to add mayo to the inside of your cheese on toast, simply spread it on the bread before adding the cheese. A little mayo will give you an oozy, golden, bubbling cheese extravaganza. You can also mix the mayo with mustard and cheese, and spread this mixture on the bread.

For a simple, classic mayo and cheese on toast, try using two slices of white bread, two slices of American cheese, and one slice of pepper jack cheese. Spread the mayo on the bread, add the cheese, and cook in a skillet over medium heat until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown.

For a more decadent version, try using rustic bread, grated cheddar cheese, wholegrain mustard, and whole egg mayonnaise. Combine the cheese, mustard, and mayo, and spread this mixture on the bread. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Worcestershire sauce

There are a few different ways to add Worcestershire sauce to your cheese on toast. You can either sprinkle or drizzle the sauce on top of the cheese before grilling, or you can toss the grated cheese in the sauce before placing it on the bread. Some people prefer to add the sauce after grilling, and you can always add an extra dash once your cheese on toast is ready to eat.

If you want to add a little extra heat to your cheese on toast, you can add a few dashes of tabasco or cayenne pepper to your Worcestershire sauce.

For a truly indulgent cheese on toast, you could try adding a few extra ingredients to your sauce. For example, you could mix in a tablespoon of malt vinegar and add some thinly sliced raw onion to your toast before sprinkling over the sauce and cheese. Or, for a more subtle flavour, you could add a thin spread of English Colman's mustard to your toast before adding the cheese and sauce.

Whichever way you choose to add it, Worcestershire sauce is an essential ingredient in taking your cheese on toast from good to great.

Sourdough bread

Ingredients:

• Two slices of sourdough bread
• Butter
• Cheese (a combination of sharp and semi-hard cheese, such as cheddar and Monterey Jack, works well)

Method:

• Heat a pan on low heat.
• Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
• Grate your cheese.
• Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, into the pan.
• Sprinkle grated cheese on top of the bread.
• Place the other slice of bread on top, buttered side up.
• Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the lid and flip the sandwich.
• Cover and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• Remove from the heat, slice, and serve!

Variations:

While a classic grilled cheese is delicious, you can elevate your sandwich by adding some extra ingredients. Here are some ideas:

• Flaky salt: Sprinkle a little flaky salt on top of your sandwich after cooking for a crunchy texture and to bring out the flavours.
• Caramelised onions: These add a touch of sweetness and pair particularly well with Gruyère cheese.
• Fig jam: A sweet jam like fig or sour cherry pairs well with Brie for a sweeter sandwich.
• Granny Smith apples: The tartness of these apples will elevate your sandwich and pair well with cheddar.
• Hot honey: Drizzle some hot honey on your sandwich for a combination of sweetness and heat.
• Stone-ground mustard or horseradish: The pungency of these condiments will add a kick to your sandwich.
• Tomatoes: While tomatoes can make your bread soggy, you can include them by sprinkling them with salt and placing them on paper towels to drain before adding them to your sandwich.

Frequently asked questions