how to make a toasted sandwich with limited resources?

[PrincessSnowLife]

I really really fancy a toastie, and I have some fantastic homemade very melty white cheese that would go very well in one, esp with the garlic red pepper I have in the fridge mmmmmmmmmm

A problem though, I have no electric toastie maker or one of the hob type ones. Can I imitate one by pressing a sandwich down on a dry frying pan (over heat obviously)? Would that work? Any other thoughts?

Butter both sides of the bread. Cheese in the middle, into a dry frying pan. Flip over halfway through. This is the American definition of a toasted cheese sandwich anyway!

Yeah that would work but if you're using a dry frying pan butter or oil the outside of the bread as you would with a normal toastie.

we have done them before under the grill- grill one side ofeach slice of bread, then put filling on other side and grill then put together. Not quite the same but not bad.

Don't you have a grill? If you put it in the frying pan, it would cook, but you'd end up with fried bread rather than toast....

Yes, that would work, put a plate on top of the sandwich and use its weight to squash it down onto the (non-stick) pan. Sounds yummy...

Or just press it down with a spatula

hadn't thought of the grill (duh!) but probably because it isn't a 'real' grill but one of those top-of-the-oven ones. Butter in the frying pan sounds cool though and pressing down. Think I will try that! Oh, I can taste it now.

i.e. butter on bread

Thank you all for the logical tips. Much appreciated. Greed was addling my mind.

NOW, tell us about this homemade cheese!

I'm sorry I can't. I am busy filling my face . It was a success!!

Didn't make the cheese myself. A neighbour did. It is luuuuuuush. Think mozarella but fresher, with a hint of feta. I'll be learning from her one day, for sure.

Frying pan is the best way - they always taste funny out of a maker IMHO.

For convenience and to reduce greasy fingers, make the sandwich as normal, butter (or marg) the outside of one side; put it in the pan marg side down on a low heat and then marg the other side. Keep heat low to make sure melty bits melt, press down with spatula to squeeeeeeze together and then turn.

For the future, you can get some little black plasticy material bags, you put your sandwich in and put the whole bag in the toaster.

Makes brilliant toasted sandwiches with minimal fuss or washing up. My bags came from Lakeland, I think.

My friend had those. Hauled one out of the cupboard, bunged in the sandwich, into the toaster. Tipped it out afterwards and out came one sandwich... followed by one small toasted mouse

Lapin .. you're just full of interesting stories

Horrid, isn't it! And she told me this as she was making us lunch...

you made cheese?

These are good.

Noooooooooooo, Cloutatlas! LOL. I have gone a bit Good Life but I haven't started to make my own cheese. Yet. My neighbour made this one (see further up the thread).

Ah yes, NAB3, clever inventions, those bags.

Love the bag idea, but they've always confused me - doesn't the filling all fall to the bottom or out completely?

No, they work fine but they do get very hot so you have to be careful.

OOps, sorry, missed that! I was very impressed then! Do pass on the info when you find out how she did it, I would love to try that.