Roasted Tomato and Sourdough Grilled Cheese Toastie

Name: Roasted Tomato and Sourdough Grilled Cheese Toastie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 4 slices thick sourdough slices; 150 g cheese, grated; 400 g ripe tomatoes (cherry and vine mixture); 4 cloves garlic cloves (skin on); 1 handful lemon thyme sprigs; 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 30 g mayonnaise

Elevate your grilled cheese with slow-roasted vine tomatoes and aromatic garlic. This sourdough toastie is perfectly crispy on the outside and bursting with rich, savory summer flavors on the inside.

Servings2 Portions

Prep Time15 Mins

Cook Time55 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

thick sourdough slices
4 slices
cheese, grated
150 g
ripe tomatoes (cherry and vine mixture)
400 g
garlic cloves (skin on)
4 cloves
lemon thyme sprigs
1 handful
extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp
mayonnaise
30 g

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan/gas 7). Roughly chop any large tomatoes and place them in a roasting tin. Include the green vines if available, as they impart a wonderful aroma during roasting.

Lightly crush the garlic cloves with the side of a knife (keep the skins on) and add them to the tin along with the lemon thyme sprigs. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and toss by hand to coat everything evenly.

Roast for 25–30 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and slightly charred. Carefully squeeze the roasted garlic out of its skins and mash it directly into the tomatoes. Roast for another 15 minutes, then remove from the oven. Discard the thyme sprigs and tomato vines, and let the mixture cool slightly.

Assemble the sandwiches by spreading mayonnaise on one side of each sourdough slice—this will be the side that touches the pan. On the other side of the bread, spread a thick layer of the roasted tomato mixture and top with the grated cheese. Close the sandwiches with the mayo-side facing outward.

Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and weigh them down using a heavy saucepan or a baking tray topped with heavy cans to ensure a flat, even crisp. Fry for 4–5 minutes until the bottom is deep golden brown.