5 toasties under $5

Food at its best is fast – think lazy Sunday nights or days when you just want sit in the backyard with a book and lunch on something quick and easy. Behold the toasted sandwich. What’s more, just because you’re having a sandwich, doesn’t mean it has to be boring. These toasties – which you can make for under $5 – all pack a tasty punch! There’s even something for those with a sweet tooth. 

1. Ploughman’s toastie 

Ingredients

• 2 slices of fresh white bread
• 30g butter
• 1 tablespoon pickle
• 2 slices ham (thick slices are best)
• 2 thick slices cheddar cheese
• ¼ apple, grated
• A few lettuce leaves

Method

1. Preheat sandwich press or jaffle to medium-high heat. Butter both sides of the two slices of bread.
2. Layer all ingredients between slices.
3. Grill sandwich for three minutes or until toasted. Cut sandwich in half and serve immediately.

2. Cheese and gherkin toastie

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• 30g butter
• 2 thick slices tasty cheese
• 2 to 3 gherkins, sliced lengthways

Method

1. Preheat sandwich press or jaffle to medium-high heat. Butter both sides of the two slices of bread. 
2. Layer all ingredients between slices.
3. Grill sandwich for three minutes or until toasted. Cut sandwich in half and serve immediately. 

3. Chicken and basil toastie

Ingredients

• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 30g butter
• 2 to 3 fresh basil leaves
• 5 semi-dried tomatoes, drained
• ½ cup shredded barbecued chicken
• 40g bocconcini cheese, thinly sliced

Method

Preheat sandwich press or jaffle to medium-high heat. Butter both sides of the two slices of bread. 

Layer semi-dried tomatoes, basil, chicken and bocconcini on one slice of bread. Season chicken with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Top with remaining bread slice.

Grill sandwich for three minutes or until toasted. Cut sandwich in half and serve immediately.

4. Banana split toastie

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• 30g butter
• 50g Nutella
• ½ a banana, sliced 

Method

1. Preheat sandwich press or jaffle to medium-high heat. Butter one side of the two slices of bread.
2. Spread the Nutella on both of the non-buttered sides of the bread. On one slice layer the banana slices on the Nutella. Place the other slice on top Nutella faced down.
3. Grill sandwich for three minutes or until toasted. Cut sandwich in half and serve immediately.

5. Mediterranean toastie

Ingredients

• 2 slices of fresh white bread
• 30g butter
• 40g bocconcini, sliced
• 2 to 3 fresh basil leaves
• 1 small vine-ripened tomato, thickly sliced
• 1 artichoke heart, sliced

Method

1. Preheat sandwich press or jaffle to medium-high heat. Butter both sides of the two slices of bread.
2. Place the bocconcini, basil, tomato and artichoke on one slice, top with the remaining slice of bread and gently squeeze the edges of the bread together.
3. Grill sandwich for three minutes or until toasted. Cut sandwich in half and serve immediately.