Toast with ham and cheese
Instructions
Tip
Make sure the toaster is thoroughly preheated before toasting. This gives your toast with ham and cheese the perfect, crispy texture on the outside without overcooking the inside.
Tip
You can also make the toasties on a pan. Preheat the pan to medium heat and flip the toasties over a few times until they are golden on both sides. Make sure not to make the pan too hot, as this can burn the bread before the cheese has a chance to melt properly.
Tip
Let the toastie rest for a minute or two after cooking. This helps the cheese set slightly, making it less likely to ooze out when you cut into the toast.
Ingredients
|
Toast
|
8 slices |
|---|---|
|
Gouda cheese
|
8 slices |
|
Cooked ham
|
8 slices |
|
Dijon mustard
|
4 tsp |
|
Butter
|
60 g |
Make a classic ham and cheese toastie
Enjoy the perfect blend of melted cheese, savoury ham, zesty mustard, and golden, buttery toast. Our recipe is straightforward, quick to prepare, and utterly satisfying, showing how delicious 'simple' can taste. All you need is a toaster, which ensures an almost mess-free preparation with a result dripping with cheese, begging you to take just one more bite again and again.
Toasted buttery bread and gooey cheese
Melted, gooey cheese and crunchy, toasted bread are the key elements. Whatever else you put in it, cheese and bread are the alpha and omega. Brushed with butter and toasted to a golden brown, the bread offers a satisfying crunch, which contrasts delightfully with the rich, creamy texture of the cheese.
The best thing you can do is use leftover, stale bread. Leftover bread is drier, and the lesser moisture in the crumb means it crisps up easier than fresh bread. This gives you a sturdy base for your toast toppings that holds up well even when the cheese melts, preventing the sandwich from becoming soggy.
A sharp and tangy kick from Dijon mustard
To balance out the mellow flavours of ham and cheese, Dijon mustard is the perfect spread. It is known for its smooth yet slightly grainy texture, and it spreads nicely on bread, holding up beautifully under heat when toasted. The zesty, piquant taste of Dijon mustard cuts through the richness of the cheese and the buttery bread, balancing the flavours and adding a delightful depth. It is impossible not to love this combination of textures, from the crunchy toasted exterior to the gooey melted cheese and creamy mustard. Even if you are not the biggest fan of mustard, in this toast, it is just a subtle flavour in the big picture of flavours, creating a dynamic and satisfying eating experience that is essential for the perfect ham and cheese toastie.
A perfect midday snack or a simple dinner option
With a few easy steps, you have the perfect snack, lunch, or dinner that is quick to whip up and satisfyingly delicious. The recipe is ideal for any part of your day, whether you are looking for something to snack on between meals or need a quick and easy meal option. Requiring only a toaster, you almost have no clean-up and can easily continue your day.
Are you looking for more inspiration for easy toast recipes? Then, have a look at our recipe for mushroom toast, exotic toast Hawaii, or satisfying pizza toast.
Put your spin on it
A classic toast with ham and cheese makes the perfect canvas for you to experiment on. For a creamy, flavourful addition, spread cream cheese on both bread slices or make one with cream cheese and one with mustard. Use your favourite flavoured cream cheese, such as herbs, paprika, or garlic, or a natural cream cheese. Whatever you choose will be a luscious addition to your toast, mixing delightfully with the melted cheese.
Add a green touch with baby spinach, layering it on top of the cheese and ham before closing the toast or mixing it with the Dijon mustard before spreading it onto the bread. For other fillings, add slices of fresh tomato between the layers, allowing the tomatoes to soften with the heat and add a juicy touch. If you like it slightly spicy, add jalapeño slices or chopped jalapeño, chilli flakes, or sriracha sauce.
Instead of Dijon mustard, spread sun-dried tomato or garlic basil pesto onto the toast for an aromatic depth and savoury flavour. Its bold, tangy notes elevate the toastie, while its smooth, creamy texture adds a lusciousness that complements the crispness of the bread.
