Posh Cheese on Toast with Mango Chutney
Cheese on toast with mango chutney & tomato - a quick and easy vegetarian meal
I think that cheese on toast is my default go-to meal when I want something quick and tasty.
In England, we love snacks on toast. Beans, poached eggs, mushrooms ... anything on toasted bread is good.
In fact, the first meal I learned to make, in cookery class at school, was sardines on toast.
Now I'm in America, it's more likely to be on the menu as grilled cheese (which baffled me for a while) but whatever the name, it's a firm favorite in our household. And yet this humble dish, a favorite of students and those wanting to save money, can easily and quickly be elevated to something really special.
Our own vegetarian lifestyle includes dairy, so when I'm really in a hurry, this is what I'll make for dinner. Served with salad, it's really quite posh! These are great to serve as an appetizer too although if I'm doing that I cut them into more elegant strips. The ingredients are simple - slices of bread, tomatoes, mango chutney, olive oil and some freshly chopped basil leaves ... and cheese of course.
Here's all you need
With the ingredients to see above, I made three large slices. This was great for two people for dinner, along with a lovely green salad and a glass or two of red wine.
- 3 large slices of bread. This is so much better if you can get great quality bread
- 1 tomato
- ½ cup mango chutney. This is favorite chutney but I've used others too - experiment and find your own favorite
- 1 tablespoon good olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves
- 3 oz. cheese. You can mix them as I did here or just use one type. I had small pieces of three different types so this is an ideal way to use up any oddments and off cuts
And here's all you need to do
PREPARE THE BROILER AND BREAD
Turn the broiler on and set it to its highest temperature. Pour half of the olive oil into a ovenproof dish; one that will just comfortably hold the slices of bread. Be sure that the olive oil covers the bottom of the dish.
Place the slices into the dish and drizzle the remaining olive oil on the top. You can pierce it a little with a knife so that the oil oil soaks into the bread. Put the dish under the broiler until the bread is golden. Then turn each slice and broil the other side but very lightly.
TOPPING
Spread the mango chutney onto the lightly toasted side of the bread. Slice the tomatoes and add these on top. Return the dish to the broiler while you grate the cheese. Once this is done is ready pile this on top of the tomatoes and return the dish to the broiler. The tomatoes just need to heat through so that they are warm but still juicy. Top with the cheese and broil until it's melted and bubbly.
HERBS
The best way to chop the herbs, basil in this case, is to put the leaves into a small bowl or teacup and snip them with scissors. When you've taken the toasts out of the broiler, sprinkle the chopped basil on top.
Serve!
Further reading
Delicious cheesy treats are so popular. It's not just me! Isn't melted cheese one of the most delicious foods? We only have to look at the popularity of pizza to believe that most people would agree.
This book is among the most popular recipe books available today. You'll get great ideas and fabulous recipes.
Make the most of this popular snack.
For the serious sandwich maker
Sandwiches are the fastest and probably the tastiest meals you can make. They are even more delicious when served hot. If you're a serious sandwich maker and always in a hurry, as I am, these will save you valuable time and your family will love the results.