Cheese on toast, a timeless childhood favourite, can be elevated with a single surprising ingredient: Thai green chillies. Recipe developer Zainab Shah, a New York Times Food writer, shared this simple twist that requires no extra effort.
The Simple Addition
Simply chop the chillies and scatter them over the cheese before grilling, allowing the flavour to infuse as it melts. This South Asian-inspired variation, known as chilli cheese toast, adds a fiery kick to the classic dish.
Zainab wrote: "A comforting snack made for kids and adults all across South Asia, chilli cheese toast is endlessly riffable." She added: "From simply sliced white bread and cheddar, popular with the kids, to something fancier using brioche or sourdough, variations are abundant."
Reception and Variations
The recipe has garnered a five-star rating from 294 users and attracted 45 comments. Commenters shared their own twists, such as adding English chutney or using mayo instead of butter for a crispier crust.
One commenter, Jan, recalled eating it at the Ashok hotel in New Delhi in the early 1980s, calling it "SO good!" Another, Patty, described it as "a revelation" when paired with chai tea.
How to Make Chilli Cheese Toast
For those eager to try it, here is Zainab's recipe. Ingredients (serves two to four): four slices of toasted brioche, sourdough, white or other bread; 1.5 cups (approximately 130g) grated mozzarella; 1.5 cups (approximately 130g) grated sharp cheddar; two teaspoons freshly grated garlic; four to six Thai green chillies, seeded or unseeded, chopped; salt.
Method: Position the oven rack as close to the grill as possible and set the grill to its highest setting. Arrange the toast on a baking tray and generously scatter the cheeses over the bread, ensuring each slice has roughly equal amounts of mozzarella and cheddar. Top with garlic and green chillies and season with salt. Grill until the cheese is melted, bubbling and beginning to brown in patches, about one to two minutes.
