Cheese Toasty Bliss: Perfect Pairing Ideas

There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating the perfect cheese toastie. The beauty of this comfort food lies in its simplicity and versatility, allowing you to experiment with different cheeses, breads, and fillings to craft a sandwich that suits your taste. While some prefer the classic combination of cheddar and bread, others indulge in more adventurous pairings, adding ingredients like spinach, squash, and tamarind for an elevated experience. Whether you're a purist or an innovator, the key to a great cheese toastie lies in your creativity and willingness to explore new flavours.

Cheese toastie fillings: classic options include chutney, ham, bacon, and tomato

The classic cheese toastie is a simple dish with endless variations. The basic recipe involves buttering two slices of bread, adding grated cheese, and grilling or frying the sandwich until the cheese is melted and the bread toasted. However, the types of bread and cheese used, as well as the fillings, can be varied to create different flavours and textures.

Classic Fillings

Classic fillings for a cheese toastie include chutney, ham, bacon, and tomato. Chutney, whether green, tamarind, date, or mango, adds a sweet and sour tang to the sandwich. Ham and bacon provide a savoury, meaty element, with the option of using dry-cured or smoked varieties for added flavour. Tomatoes can be used fresh or sun-dried, and sliced or pureed, to add a juicy, tangy element to the toastie.

Other Fillings

Other popular fillings include:

• Onions: sliced raw, pickled, or slow-cooked with spices and vinegar
• Mushrooms: sliced thinly and cooked
• Relishes and mustards: spicy, onion, or Dijon
• Spinach and other salad leaves: baby spinach and watercress can accompany a toastie, or be added inside the sandwich
• Herbs: thyme, basil, or spring onions
• Fruits: pears, apricots, or figs, paired with honey or jam

Types of Cheese

The type of cheese used can also be varied to change the flavour and texture of the toastie. Popular choices include:

• Cheddar: mature, vintage, or extra mature, for flavour
• Mozzarella: for its melting qualities and "cheese pull"
• Gruyère: for flavour
• Red Leicester: mild and good for melting
• Monterey Jack: for its gooeyness
• Brie: for creaminess
• Blue cheese: strong and flavoursome, but ensure it is mature and semi-hard

Bread: a good-quality, sturdy bread is best—white, whole-grain, granary, or sourdough

The bread you choose for your cheese toastie is important. It needs to be good quality and sturdy to hold together when cooking and to create a strong case for the melted cheese.

A good rule of thumb is to ensure your bread isn't too thick (which will prevent the cheese from melting), too thin or too soft (which will cause it to get squished by the cheese), or too holey (creating cheese escape routes).

A sturdy white bread, such as a white bloomer, is a good choice for a neutral flavour profile. However, whole-grain, granary, or sourdough bread can also be used to add a little extra flavour and texture to your toastie.

Sourdough, in particular, is a popular choice for cheese toasties as it has a nice, thick crust that adds a satisfying bite. Just be sure to avoid the super-fancy sourdoughs with a crazy thick, tough crust that will be difficult to bite through.

When choosing your bread, consider the type of cheese you plan to use. For example, softer cheeses will require a heartier bread that can stand up to the moisture, while harder, crumbly cheeses may benefit from a softer bread that can help hold it all together.

Ultimately, the bread you choose will depend on your personal preference and the specific ingredients of your toastie. Experiment with different types of bread to find the perfect match for your favourite cheese and filling combinations.

Cheese: a strong, semi-hard, or crumbly cheese is ideal—Cheddar, Wensleydale, Red Leicester, or Cheshire

When it comes to the cheese for your toastie, a strong, semi-hard, or crumbly cheese is ideal. Cheddar, Wensleydale, Red Leicester, and Cheshire are all excellent choices. These cheeses will provide a good balance of flavour and texture, and hold up well to the heat without becoming too runny.

Cheddar is a popular choice for its sharp flavour and melting capabilities. A mature or extra mature variety will add a nice bite to your toastie, but be aware that it may not cook as well as a milder cheddar. A vintage or good-quality cheddar will provide the best of both worlds, offering a strong flavour that still melts beautifully.

Red Leicester is another great option, often mentioned alongside cheddar as a classic toastie cheese. It has a similar texture and melting quality to cheddar but with a slightly milder, nuttier flavour.

Wensleydale is a semi-hard cheese with a crumbly texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. It is a good choice if you want a less intense cheese flavour in your toastie.

Cheshire is another semi-hard cheese with a crumbly texture and a more intense, sharp flavour. It will add a nice tang to your toastie.

When preparing your cheese toastie, it is recommended to grate your own cheese rather than using pre-grated or pre-sliced cheese. This is because pre-grated cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own cheese will give you a smoother, more even melt.

Additionally, when it comes to assembling your toastie, it is best to place the cheese on the unbuttered side of the bread. Buttering both sides of the bread can make the sandwich soggy, so it is generally recommended to only butter the outside of the sandwich.

Cooking methods: use a frying pan, sandwich press, or toastie maker

Cooking methods: frying pan, sandwich press, or toastie maker

Frying pan

To make a cheese toastie in a frying pan, you'll need to butter your bread and place the cheese and any other fillings on top. Then, place the second slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up. Heat a non-stick frying pan and place the sandwich inside, pressing it down gently with a spatula. Don't worry if a little cheese leaks out. Cook for a few minutes on each side, pressing down occasionally, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has started to melt.

Sandwich press or toastie maker

Preheat your sandwich press or toastie maker. Butter two slices of bread and place your fillings on one slice, then top with the other slice, buttered side facing up. Place the sandwich in the press or maker and close the lid. Toast until the bread is crisp and golden.

Griddle pan

If you want to create the classic ridge pattern on your toastie, use a grill or griddle pan instead of a frying pan. Simply follow the frying pan method, but place your sandwich in the griddle pan instead.

Top tips

• Use a good-quality bread that will hold together better when cooking. This can be white, whole-grain, granary, or sourdough.
• Use a strong, semi-hard or crumbly British cheese, like English Cheddar, Wensleydale, Red Leicester, or Cheshire.
• If you're grating your cheese, use a large-hole grater so that the cheese doesn't melt too quickly.
• Only butter one side of each slice of bread to prevent your sandwich from becoming soggy.

Extras: add salt, pepper, butter, mayonnaise, or mustard

There are many ways to elevate a simple cheese toastie, and adding extra ingredients is a great way to do so. Here are some ideas for extras that can be added to a cheese toastie:

Salt and Pepper

A pinch of salt and pepper can enhance the flavour of a cheese toastie. These simple seasonings add a savoury note that complements the cheese.

Butter

Butter is a classic addition to a cheese toastie, adding richness and flavour. It is typically spread on the outside of the bread to create a crispy, golden crust. Some recipes call for butter on both sides of the bread, while others suggest buttering only the cooking side to prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise can be a surprising yet delicious addition to a cheese toastie. It can be spread on the outside of the bread before cooking, adding a tangy, creamy dimension to the sandwich. Mayonnaise can also be used in place of butter, creating a unique flavour and texture.

Mustard

Mustard is a popular choice for adding a sharp, tangy flavour to a cheese toastie. It can be spread directly on the bread or mixed with other ingredients, such as mayonnaise, to create a creamy, spicy sauce. Mustard pairs particularly well with certain cheeses, such as Gruyère, and can take a simple toastie to the next level.

When it comes to cheese toasties, the possibilities for extras are endless. These suggestions provide a starting point for customising and elevating this classic, comforting dish.

Frequently asked questions