It’s not often that I eat a sandwich. A sandwich isn’t what I often crave but offer me a good ‘toastie’ and I’m yours! Think of the humble ham and cheese sandwich. Now think of the same humble ham and cheese sandwich toasted. Is it just me or is the fact that it is toasted make it so much more appealing?

One of our children came home from school yesterday declaring that she had written in one of her working books that her two wishes for this weekend were a picnic in the backyard and a family bike ride. I thought that such a lovely idea to actually think about and then announce your weekend wishes rather than getting caught up in the usual plans and commitments and before you know it, it’s Monday again. Not being one to stand in the way of little girls wish, today we enjoyed a very relaxing picnic in our backyard. There was no over the top hampers prepared, no stuffing the car boot, no deliberating over where we should drive to and stop at, no children moaning from the back seat that they might likely vomit if we go around one more bend. I loved her idea and we enjoyed half an hour together on our back lawn, on the beautiful patchwork quilt my Sister made for me, many moons ago. It felt special. I cooked us up some really tasty ‘toasties’ , put the kettle on for a pot of tea and hot chocolate’s all round for the three little chicks. It was the perfect pause after the tennis runs and ballet runs this morning and a lovely recharge and start to the Saturday afternoon ahead. It’s a good thing we have that bike ride penciled in some time soon too – I feel I might be needing it!

Nellie’s ham and gruyere cheese toastie
Serves / Makes 1 large toastie

2 slices of sourdough bread
Unsalted butter
Tomato relish (I use my own Relish Mama brand but whatever is your first choice Relish)
Free range ham, sliced
Gruyere cheese
Caramleised onions (optional)
Rocket, washed and with a light splash of extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Pepper

Preheat whatever weapon of choice you use / choose to make your toastie : Be it a jaffle iron, griller, frying pan, etc. Layer all of the fillings on top of 1 slice of bread, with the exception of the rocket and season with salt and pepper. Place the other slice of bread on top and toast for approximately 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and oozing out of your toastie. Lift one piece of bread and add your rocket leaves.  Fill up the kettle, spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy the serenity of your own back yard – toastie’s in hand.

Finishing up with their brew of choice – hot chocolate